Bandits on Sunday attacked Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Church Omugo in Ifelodun Local Government in Kwara State, abducting eight worshipers.

Our reporter reliably gathered that the suspected bandits arrived the church during service, shooting sporadically to scare the congregation that scampered for safety.

It was also learnt that three of the abducted people later escaped from their abductors, remaining five to be rescued.

The incident was confirmed by the state government, when the commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju tasked security forces and local vigilantes to ensure that the bandits are apprehended.

“The government commended the security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes for the proactive response to the incident and the rescue of three of the eight victims of the abduction.

“The government condemned the cowardly targeting of religious places under any guise,” Olukoju’s statement stated.

The statement, issued on Sunday, further urged the security forces, forest guards, local vigilantes, and community members to continue to work together to end the menace.

“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 arrest of the perpetrators,” according to the statement.

“The government also commended the security forces, forest guards, and vigilantes for the appreciable progress made in their combing of the forests, which has largely curtailed the activities of the criminals in the areas.

“The government again assured the people of its continuous commitment to work with security forces and community stakeholders to protect lives and property,” it added.