By Desire Emmanuel
Bandits on Sunday, March 22, attacked a church in Kwara State during service and abducted eight worshippers.
The armed bandits attacked the Evangelical Church for Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo community via Oro Ago in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state around 10:00 a.m. when the service was on, shot into the air and abducted the worshippers.
It was however gathered that following report of the incident, security agencies swung into action and rescued three of the worshippers while five others were taken away by the marauders.
The state police command also confirmed the attack in a statement on Sunday, saying it received the information that the armed bandits invaded the church premises and abducted the worshippers.
The command added that following the information received, a joint security response team comprising police operatives, personnel of the military and forest guards mobilised to the scene and surrounding forests to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
The command said the cleric in charge of the church disclosed that that eight worshippers were initially abducted during the attack.
“However, owing to the swift and coordinated response of security forces, three victims were successfully rescued unhurt. Sadly, five persons remain in the custody of the abductors,” the command said in the statement.
The command stated that in order to reinforce ongoing efforts, the Commissioner of Police has deployed operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to the area to augment the joint security personnel already engaged in the rescue mission and intensify the manhunt for the perpetrators.
