The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kwara State has raised concerns over growing insecurity after suspected kidnappers reportedly killed one of its members and abducted five others in a fresh attack in the state.
The incident occurred in Oyatedo village, located in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen allegedly killed a church member identified as Omoniyi Ajise and abducted his wife along with four other residents.
Church leaders disclosed that the attack happened on Wednesday while leaders of various ECWA district councils were holding a security meeting in Omu-Aran to discuss the worsening security situation across communities in the state.
The concern was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting by the ECWA Joint District Church Councils Forum. The statement was signed by the forum’s chairman, Samuel Adewumi, and secretary, Joseph Agboluaje.
According to the church, the latest attack reflects a troubling pattern of kidnappings and violence across communities in Kwara South Senatorial District, including areas around Oro-Ago and Babanla. Church leaders said rural communities are increasingly living under fear as criminal groups intensify attacks.
The communiqué further revealed that two elderly residents identified as Dada and Ishola were earlier abducted in Ahun village but later released by their captors after it became clear they were of advanced age.
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ECWA leaders warned that the rising insecurity is already affecting local livelihoods, especially as many farmers have abandoned their farms at the peak of the cashew harvesting season due to fear of attacks. They added that several churches in affected communities have been forced to close, with pastors and members fleeing to safer locations.
The church called on the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government, and security agencies to urgently strengthen security operations across the affected areas through improved intelligence gathering and increased deployment of security personnel.
The development comes amid growing concerns about kidnappings and violent attacks in rural parts of Kwara, particularly communities bordering forest areas and interstate routes linking the state with neighbouring regions.
