A coordinated rescue operation is underway in Kwara State following a bandit attack on a worship centre in Omugo community, via Oro-Ago in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where several churchgoers were abducted on Sunday.
According to the Kwara State Police Command, the incident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on March 22, 2026, when armed assailants invaded the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) during a church service, disrupting worship and forcefully taking away congregants.
Security agencies responded swiftly to the distress call, deploying a joint team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Nigerian military, and local forest guards. The operatives immediately combed the surrounding forests in a bid to track the attackers and secure the release of the victims.
An on-the-spot assessment by the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, revealed that eight persons were initially abducted during the attack. However, three of the victims have since been rescued unhurt due to what authorities described as a rapid and coordinated intervention.
Despite the progress, five individuals remain in captivity, with security forces intensifying efforts to secure their safe return.
Condemning the incident, CP Adekimi described the attack as “cruel and unacceptable,” noting that it represents a direct violation of the peace and sanctity of both the community and a place of worship. He expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and acknowledged the emotional distress caused by the incident.
To bolster ongoing operations, the police command has deployed operatives from the Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to the area, reinforcing the joint security presence already engaged in the rescue mission.
Authorities have assured residents that intelligence-driven strategies are being actively implemented to apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the remaining victims. The public has also been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible information that could aid the ongoing operation.
The police reiterated their commitment to restoring security in the area and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.


