NIGERIA: Gunmen Abduct Eight Worshippers During Church Service In Kwara

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Omugo, Kwara State

Gunmen on Sunday attacked Evangelical Church or West Africa (ECWA) Church Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state, abducting eight members of the congregation.

The suspected bandits are said to have stormed the church during Sunday service, shooting sporadically to scare the congregation.

It was also gathered that three of the abducted people later escaped from their abductors, remaining five to be rescued.

The incident was confirmed by the state government, through the state commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, who tasked security forces and local vigilantes to ensure that the bandits are apprehended.

“The government commended the security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes for the proactive response to the incident and the rescue of three of the eight victims of the abduction.

The government condemned the cowardly targeting of religious places under any guise.

In a statement on Sunday, the state government urged the security forces, forest guards, local vigilantes, and community members to continue to work together to end the menace.

“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 arrest of the perpetrators,” according to the statement.

“The government also commended the security forces, forest guards, and vigilantes for the appreciable progress made in their combing of the forests, which has largely curtailed the activities of the criminals in the areas.

“The government again assured the people of its continuous commitment to work with security forces and community stakeholders to protect

lives and property”.