By Atinuke Alao
Police in Kwara State, on Sunday, confirmed the death of three persons and abduction of 15 others when gunmen invaded a prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, near Ikerin-Opin in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
The men of the underworld reportedly struck when Christian worshippers of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala were holding a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on Saturday night.
It was learnt that the victims were taken to an unknown destination as of the time of this report.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, the spokesperson of the state police command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, had ordered a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation.
It explained that the operation involves the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, Intelligence Units, and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission.
The statement noted that one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ikerin-Opin reported the incident to the police.
Quoting the police commissioner to have described the incident as barbaric and callous, the statement urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive with credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations.
It assured residents of the ongoing vigorous efforts including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.
“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 Ikerin-Opin village in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“The incident was reported on 24th May, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ikerin-Opin village, Ekiti LGA Kwara State, who stated that while conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village, on 23rd May, 2026, at about 2030hrs, 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, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised 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.
“The Commissioner of Police describes 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 behind the heinous act,” the statement partly read.
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