Terrorists Sunday morning stormed ECWA Church in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and abducted thirteen worshippers.

The Commissioner of police, Adekimi Ojo who confirmed the development to newsmen said majority of the kidnapped victims are over 70 years of age,even as he expressed confidence that the victims would be rescued.

According to him,”We just returned from the place, majority of worshippers abducted are over 70 years in age, very few of them are less in age.

“From our analysis they’re trying to cross over to thicker forests by midnight,and we have blocked all the loopholes.Im believing Almighty God that our efforts will pay off,and we will get them and also rescue the victims ”he said.

It was however gathered that Joint security operatives were, said to have rescued three of the abducted victims.

The attack reportedly occurred during the weekly church service, causing panic among worshippers and residents.

We also gathered that Four persons recently abducted by terrorists in Babanla community are still being held in captivity after a payment of N10M raised by the community.

Meantime it was reliably gathered that the terrorists stormed the church premises yesterday morning during church service and abducted worshippers while service was ongoing.

We also gathered that it was after the alarm was raised by other worshippers who escaped the attack that the combined police, forests guards and soldiers pursued the terrorists into the thick forests and rescued three of the worshippers, while Nine were successfully taken away.

sources expressed concern that the church location is less than two kilometres to where the military base is sited and wondered why the attack, despite proximity to military base.

According to him,”I was told Twelve worshippers were successfully taken away to the thick forests and Three were rescued by combination of forests Guards,the police and soldiers who went after them.

“We have been told of the coming attack and I expected our security to be on guard,for instance the church is less than two kilometres to the military base,so I suspect a foul play because they’ll soon ask for ransom.”

He also recalled that four persons recently abducted by terrorists in the neighbouring Babanla community are still being held after a payment of N10Million raised by the community.

“We surely can’t continue like this,it’s very unfortunate”he stressed.

Meanwhile Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, confirmed the development, adding that security operatives successfully rescued three victims while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

The Commissioner also said that, “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 attackers.”

Olukoju added that the government had directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.

“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 the arrest of the perpetrators,” she said.

The commissioner also condemned the targeting of a religious centre, describing the act as cowardly and unacceptable.

“The Kwara State Government strongly condemns the cowardly targeting of a place of worship under any guise, and we reaffirm that such acts of violence have no place in our communities,” she added.

She further urged residents to support ongoing security efforts by remaining vigilant and cooperating with authorities.

“We call on community members to continue to work closely with security agencies, forest guards, and local vigilantes to bring an end to this menace and safeguard our communities,” the commissioner also said.

Olukoju highlighted that ongoing forest combing operations had already yielded positive results.

“We also commend the appreciable progress made in the ongoing combing of the forests, which has significantly curtailed the activities of criminal elements across affected areas,” she said.

The government reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents of sustained collaboration with all security stakeholders.

Kwara state Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo,who also confirmed the development told Vanguard in an interview that majority of the abductees with the terrorists are above 70 years in age.