Terrorists stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, during Sunday service today and abducted nine worshippers.
The attackers burst into the church while the congregation prayed, seized the victims and dragged them into the nearby forest, leaving everyone else in panic.
Yet help came fast. A joint team of police, soldiers and forest guards chased after them and rescued three of the abducted people unhurt.
Efforts continue to free the remaining six.
Bolanle Olukoju, the state commissioner for communications, confirmed the details in a swift statement.
“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 terrorists,” she said.
Olukoju added that the government has ordered security agencies to step up the manhunt.
“We strongly condemn the cowardly targeting of a place of worship under any guise,” she declared, urging residents to stay vigilant and work closely with the authorities.
The attack has shocked the community, especially since the church sits less than two kilometres from a military base.
Local sources say they had received prior warnings about possible trouble, yet the terrorists still struck.
This latest incident comes amid growing worries over safety in the North-Central region, but the Kwara State Government insists it will not rest until every victim returns home and the perpetrators face justice.
