The Kwara State Police Command has condemned the killing of three worshippers and the abduction of 15 others at a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said in a statement on Sunday in Ilorin that the attack occurred at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in Ekiti LGA.
She said the incident was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who stated that armed men invaded the prayer ground during a vigil on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m.
According to her, the attackers fired sporadically, killed three persons and abducted 15 others to an unknown destination.
Ejire-Adeyemi said the Divisional Police Officer in Ekiti Division immediately mobilised operatives to the scene after the distress report was received.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, ordered a tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission.
Adekimi described the attack as barbaric, callous and unacceptable, and assured families of the victims that the command was working to rescue the abducted persons and apprehend the attackers.
He also said security operations, including bush combing and intelligence gathering, were ongoing to track down the assailants.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, while calling on the public to provide credible information to aid the operation.
