Suspected terrorists on Sunday stormed an ECWA church in the Omugo community of Ifelodun Local Government Area in Kwara State, abducting nine worshippers during an ongoing service. A joint security team subsequently rescued three of the victims.

The assailants invaded the church premises while the weekly service was in progress, seizing several worshippers and forcing them into a nearby forest.

Congregants who escaped raised the alarm, prompting a combined team of police officers, forest guards and soldiers to pursue the attackers. The operation led to the rescue of three victims. Six others remain in captivity.

Security sources raise concerns over proximity to military base

A credible source from the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Vanguard that prior intelligence had pointed to a possible attack in the area, raising questions about the security response.

“We had prior information about a possible attack, and I expected security to be on alert,” the source said.

“The church is less than two kilometres from a military base, so one begins to suspect compromise because they will soon demand ransom.”

The source also disclosed that four persons recently abducted in the neighboring Babanla community remain in captivity despite the payment of N10 million in ransom by the community.

Kwara government condemns attack, vows to free remaining victims

The state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, confirmed the attack and said security forces had successfully rescued three of the abducted worshippers, with efforts ongoing to secure the release of the others.

“We commend the immediate and coordinated response of the security forces, forest guards and local vigilantes, which led to the rescue of three of the abducted victims,” Olukoju said.

She added that the state government had directed security agencies to intensify the manhunt for the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.

Olukoju condemned the targeting of a place of worship, describing it as cowardly and unacceptable.

“The Kwara State Government strongly condemns the cowardly targeting of a place of worship under any guise, and we reaffirm that such acts of violence have no place in our communities,” she said.

She urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, noting that ongoing forest combing operations had already produced results in curbing criminal activity across affected areas.