Armed attackers have killed three people and abducted 15 others during a night vigil at a church near Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State.
The incident happened on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of the village, where members of the congregation had gathered for prayers.
Kwara State Police Command said the attackers stormed the prayer ground at about 8:30 pm, firing shots and causing worshippers to flee.
Police said the report was made by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village.
According to the command, officers from Ekiti Division were deployed to the scene immediately after receiving the alert.
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It was disclosed that Kwara State Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi has ordered a full-scale operation involving the Police Drone Team, Mobile Force personnel and intelligence units to locate the abducted worshippers and apprehend those responsible.
A local resident, who asked not to be named, said people ran in different directions when the shooting started and that some families only located relatives on Sunday morning.
The command described the attack as "baric, callous and unacceptable" and said bush-combing operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated deployments were ongoing in the area.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and share information that could aid the rescue effort.
Kwara Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi condemned the killings and abductions and said investigations were continuing.
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