Gunmen Invade Church in Kwara, Abduct Eight Worshippers

Gunmen on Sunday attacked a church in Kwara State, abducting eight worshippers during a service at the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The incident was confirmed in a statement issued in Ilorin by the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju. She said the attackers, suspected to be bandits, stormed the church premises and fired sporadically to disperse the congregation before carrying out the abduction.

According to her, three of the kidnapped victims managed to escape from their captors, while five others remain in captivity.

Olukoju commended security agencies, forest guards, and local vigilantes for their swift response, which led to the rescue of some victims, and urged continued efforts to apprehend those responsible.

“The government condemns the cowardly targeting of religious centres under any guise,” she said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, also confirmed the attack, noting that a joint rescue operation involving police and military personnel is ongoing.

He added that most of the abducted victims are elderly, with only two reported to be under the age of 70.