Bandits have invaded an ECWA Church in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and abducted some worshippers.
However, it was learnt that security operatives rushed to the scene and rescued three of the abducted victims.According to PUNCH, the incident occurred on Sunday morning during a weekly church service, causing panic among worshippers and residents. A source told the publication that the attackers invaded the church and whisked away several worshippers before the intervention of the security operatives.
A source from the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “At least seven people were abducted,” though further details were not provided.Confirming the development to our correspondent, the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said security operatives successfully rescued three victims while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.
She stated, “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 and helped to repel the attackers.”The CP said that the state government had directed security agencies to intensify efforts to track the assailants and ensure the victims are brought back safely.“While commending the immediate response of the security forces and other stakeholders, we task them to ensure that the ongoing manhunt leads to the rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of the perpetrators,” she said.
She also condemned the targeting of a religious centre, describing the act 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 added.
She further urged residents to support ongoing security efforts by remaining vigilant and cooperating with authorities.“We call on community members to continue to work closely with security agencies, forest guards, and local vigilantes to bring an end to this menace and safeguard our communities,” the statement noted.The commissioner said the ongoing forest combing operations had already yielded positive results.
“We also commend the appreciable progress made in the ongoing combing of the forests, which has significantly curtailed the activities of criminal elements across affected areas,” she said.The government reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents of sustained collaboration with all security stakeholders.Bandits have increased their operations in several states in Nigeria, killing and abducting many. This is not their first church attack in Kwara.Despite the deployment of soldiers, police and other security operatives to the state, they have managed to strike unopposed many times.
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