Kwara Church Attack Deepens Security Fears As Troops Rescue Three Worshippers, Hunt Continues For Remaining Victims

Kwara Church Attack Deepens Security Fears As Troops Rescue Three Worshippers, Hunt Continues For Remaining Victims

The Nigerian military has stepped up operations in Kwara State after rescuing three worshippers abducted during a church attack in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, but uncertainty still surrounds the total number of people originally taken, with credible reports variously putting the figure at eight and nine. What is consistent across the reporting is that armed men attacked an ECWA church during a Sunday service on March 22, abducted worshippers, and triggered an emergency response involving soldiers, local vigilantes and other security operatives.

The clearest official line in the first hours after the attack came from the Kwara State Government through Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju. She said gunmen stormed the church while service was in progress, abducted worshippers, and that three victims were later rescued through the immediate response of security personnel, forest guards and local vigilantes. Her statement also confirmed that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those still in captivity. 

One of the central complications in reporting this story is the discrepancy over the number of abductees. Channels Television, TheCable, The Guardian and Nigeria Info reported that eight worshippers were taken from the ECWA church in Omugo. By contrast, Arise and some later follow-up reports said nine worshippers were abducted, while the military’s latest update about rescuing three did not, in the snippets available, fully resolve that difference. The safest conclusion at this stage is that at least eight worshippers were abducted and three have now been rescued, leaving several still unaccounted for. 

The attack happened in Omugo, a rural community in Ifelodun LGA, during Sunday worship. Early reports said the attackers invaded the church, fired sporadically to create panic, and forced congregants into the bush. Survivor and community accounts gathered afterward described a traumatized community, with fear spreading quickly across the area and some residents beginning to flee or drastically limit movement. Punch’s follow-up report said the assault left the community shaken and exposed the depth.

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Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Jevaun Rhashan