The Executive Council and members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) have confirmed the abduction of worshippers during a church service in Oro-Ago, in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday.

In a statement, the ECWA District Church in Ilorin described the attack as troubling and expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity affecting churches and communities in the Kwara South Senatorial District.

“We received with great sorrow the disturbing report that bandits disrupted the worship service and abducted eight members, including the wife of the minister in charge of the church, Ms Omole,” the statement said.

Describing the attack as heartbreaking, the council decried spate of attacks on Kwara churches and communities in recent times.

It also urged relevant security agencies to intensify proactive efforts to protect lives and property rather than only responding after attacks had already taken place.

“This painful development is yet another troubling occurrence in recent times, particularly affecting ECWA churches and communities across Kwara South Senatorial District.

“The council called on the relevant security agencies to intensify proactive measures to safeguard lives and property, rather than responding only after such tragic incidents have taken place,” the statement stated.

Praying for the safe return of those still in captivity, the council expressed optimism that the victims would be rescued and reunited with their families soon.

It added, “The District Executive commits these our beloved brethren into God’s hands, praying earnestly for their safety and speedy release. We trust the Lord to comfort the affected families and strengthen His Church in this trying time.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, in a statement on Sunday, said that three of the victims had been successfully rescued following immediate response by the security operatives.

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

“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.

“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,” the commissioner stated.