Three worshippers have been killed and 15 others abducted after gunmen attacked a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident occurred on Saturday night, May 23, 2026, at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis of the LGA.
According to reports, the terrorists stormed the community in large numbers, attacking worshippers and residents before fleeing through nearby forest routes. The Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
The statement read: 'The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the gruesome attack, killing, and abduction of innocent worshippers by armed criminals at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.'
The incident was reported on May 24, 2026, by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti LGA. He stated that while conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village on May 23, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons while abducting fifteen others to an unknown destination.
Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer of Ekiti Division immediately mobilized operatives to the scene. The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, directed a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, Intelligence Units, and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission.
CP Ojo Adekimi described the attack as barbaric, callous, and unacceptable, assuring the families of the deceased, the injured, and the abducted victims that the Command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators.
The Command assured residents of Ekiti LGA and the entire state that vigorous efforts are ongoing, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations to track down the assailants and bring them to justice. Members of the public are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses.
