Gunmen stormed a church in Omugo community, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, during a Sunday service. The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) was the target of the attack, which caught worshippers off guard.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the bandits shooting sporadically and forcing members of the congregation to flee in different directions. Eight worshippers were taken away by the attackers, but three later escaped from their captors.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on churches in the region. Just a few months ago, bandits attacked a CAC church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government area, during a church service. The worshippers were later released.
The Kwara State Government has condemned the attack, describing it as disturbing. The government commended security operatives and local response groups for their swift intervention, which helped facilitate the escape of three of the victims.
The government has urged security stakeholders to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack. It has also pledged sustained support for security interventions across the state.
The Kwara State Government's response to the attack on the ECWA church is a welcome development, but it is not enough. The government's promise to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible must be backed up with concrete action. The fact that three worshippers were able to escape from their captors suggests that there are security lapses that need to be addressed. The government must do more to safeguard lives and property in the state. The people of Kwara State deserve a secure and safe environment to worship and live their lives without fear of attack.
