Armed men have killed people and 15 others have been abducted after gunmen attacked the Ori-Oke Ajaiye prayer ground in Ikiran, Ekiti LGA of Kwara state.
A statement on Sunday by Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, spokesperson of the Kwara police command, stated that the armed men hit the prayer ground around 8pm while worshippers were holding a vigil.
The police stated that the gunmen opened fire sporadically, killing three people before whisking away 15 worshippers to an unknown destination.
“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 statement reads.
“The incident was reported on 24th May, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin 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.”
Ejire-Adeyemi said upon receiving the distress report, the divisional police officer of the Ekiti division immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.
She said commissioner of police,
Ojo Adekimi, has deployed 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.
According to her, the commissioner described the attack as barbaric, callous, and unacceptable, assuring prompt rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind the “heinous act”.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations,” the statement added.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses.”
