The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), yesterday, raised fresh alarm over what it described as an escalating security breakdown across the country, warning that several states, including Oyo, Benue and Plateau, have effectively become “killing fields” amid rising cases of banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks.

The Christian body made the declaration at the conclusion of its three-day national fasting and prayer programme held from Friday, May 22 to yesterday, which coincided with the Global Pentecost Day observance.

This came as armed bandits, at the weekend, struck at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil.

The attack occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday while the worshippers were observing a vigil.

In an address delivered by the PFN National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the fellowship said Nigeria was facing a deepening crisis of insecurity that had reached “intolerable and unacceptable levels,” adding that the nation appeared to have lost a collective sense of value for human life.

According to the PFN, the pattern of killings, abductions and repeated attacks across communities in different regions of the country reflects not only a security failure but also a moral and governance crisis requiring urgent national attention.

The fellowship cited several high-profile and recurring cases of abductions and killings, including the prolonged captivity of the Chibok schoolgirls and Leah Sharibu, alongside other victims of insurgency and banditry across the North-East and North-West regions.

It described their continued captivity years after their abduction as a national tragedy and a painful reminder of unresolved insecurity challenges that continue to undermine public confidence in state protection.

PFN also referenced recent attacks in parts of the country, including Oyo State, where teachers and pupils were abducted during a school invasion, with reports indicating that one of the victims, a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun, was killed by his abductors.

The fellowship said such incidents demonstrate the increasing spread of violent attacks beyond traditional hotspots into previously considered safe zones in the South-West and other regions.

It further noted that similar patterns of violence have been recorded in Benue, Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna and other states, where communities have repeatedly suffered armed attacks, displacement and loss of lives.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack on the worshippers in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement released yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, the command said the incident was reported on May 24, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to the statement, the pastor stated that the attackers invaded the prayer ground during a night vigil on May 23, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m.

The statement added that the hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, fired sporadically, killed three persons and abducted 15 others to an unknown destination.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has directed a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission,” the statement said.

The police commissioner described the attack as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable,” assuring families of the deceased, the injured and the abducted victims that the command was committed to rescuing the abductees and apprehending the perpetrators.

The command also assured residents of Ekiti Local Government Area and the state that efforts, including bush combing, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations, were ongoing to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.

It urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and supportive by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations.