In a chilling and deeply disturbing attack that has sent waves of grief and outrage across Nigeria, armed gunmen have killed three worshippers and abducted 15 others after violently invading a night vigil prayer session at the Ori-Oke Ajaiye prayer ground in Ikiran Village, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack occurred on Friday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 8:30 PM, while members of the congregation of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala were conducting a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin Village, when armed hoodlums suddenly invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons while abducting fifteen others to an unknown destination.
The incident was formally reported to the police on May 24, 2026, by the church’s pastor, Pastor Adebayo Abiodun, who was leading the vigil when the gunmen struck. The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, describing the incident as gruesome, barbaric, and completely unacceptable.
s
The Commissioner of Police described the attack as barbaric, callous, and unacceptable, assuring the families of the deceased, the injured, and the abducted victims that the Command was fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators. The police spokesperson assured residents that vigorous efforts were ongoing, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.
The latest attack comes amid recurring assaults on worship centres in Kwara South. In November 2025, armed bandits attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, killing three worshippers and abducting 38 congregants. In March 2026, another ECWA church in Omugo, Ifelodun LGA, was attacked with eleven worshippers abducted — eight of whom remain in captivity as of press time.
The pattern of attacks on worship centres across Kwara State has deepened public fear and renewed calls for the Federal Government to urgently deploy more security resources to protect communities in Kwara South and other vulnerable rural areas across Nigeria.
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria.
Contact: info@cdanews.ng | 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Your privacy is protected. Data never shared without consent.
