ILORIN, Nigeria: Armed assailants killed three worshippers and abducted 15 others during an attack at a prayer ground in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on May 24, 2026, through spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, released a statement that 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 initially reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala in Ekerin Village. Ojo said, “While conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically.”
Following the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ekiti Division mobilized operatives to the scene. Ojo said, “A comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, Intelligence Units, and other operational assets has been deployed for a coordinated rescue mission.”
The attack follows previous assaults on worship centers in Kwara South. In November 2025, armed bandits attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, killing three worshippers and abducting 38 congregants before the victims were rescued. In March 2026, an ECWA church in Omugo within the Ifelodun Local Government Area was attacked, resulting in the abduction of 11 worshippers, with eight remaining in captivity as of press time.
