Bandits invade Kwara church, abduct eight worshippers

Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara, abducting eight members of the congregation.

It was gathered that the bandits stormed the church during service on Sunday, March 22, 2026, shooting sporadically to scare the congregation before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.

Three of the kidnapped worshippers later escaped from their abductors.

The State Government confirmed the incident in a statement, commending security operatives for rescuing three victims.

The statement signed by the state commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, tasked security forces and local vigilantes to ensure that the bandits are apprehended.

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

“Kwara State Government has tasked security forces and local vigilantes to ensure that the bandits who attacked the ECWA Church Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, are apprehended,” the statement read.

“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.

“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.

“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.”