Kwara: Armed men kidnap eight worshipers in new attack, writes 3 other LGs

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

Blueprint.ng found that the suspected bandits stormed the church during Sunday service, shooting sporadically to scare the congregation.

It was also established that three of the abducted people later escaped from their captors, while five remained safe.

The state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, confirmed the incident.

The state government has directed security forces and local vigilantes to ensure the arrest of the bandits.

“The government commended the security forces, forest rangers and local vigilantes for the proactive response to the incident and for the rescue of three of the eight kidnapping victims,” he said.

The government condemned the cowardly attack on religious places in any form.

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

“While we commend the immediate response of the security forces and other stakeholders, we charge them to ensure that the ongoing manhunt leads to the rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of the perpetrators,” the statement read.

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

“The government has once again assured the public of its continued commitment to working with security forces and community stakeholders to protect lives and property.”

Meanwhile, residents of three LGAs in Kwara South Senatorial District have been put on high alert following intelligence reports suggesting that terrorists and bandits may be planning coordinated attacks in some parts of the state later this month.

The affected LGAs include Ifelodun, Irepodun and Isin.

Blueprint.ng has discovered that the alleged attackers are planning to launch simultaneous attacks in the three LGAs on March 23, 2026 and again on March 28.

Joint Security Guard Coordinator Senior Olaitan Oyin-Zubair raised the alarm in a subsequent message to the state police commissioner titled “URGENT: Imminent Terror Threat Alert”.

It reads: “We are bringing to your attention reports of potential security threats targeting Kwara on March 23 and possible attacks on Yorubaland from March 28 post-Ramadan.

“We call for immediate action and increased vigilance to protect citizens. People are anxious and need reassurance about their safety.

“Looking forward to your prompt response and action.”