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BRAKING: Suspected bandits storm Kwara church during service, kidnap nine members
Suspected bandits have reportedly invaded a church in Oro-Ago community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting no fewer than nine worshippers during the worship service on Sunday.
Sources in the community revealed that the heavily armed assailants stormed the church while worship activities were ongoing.
According to a source who spoke with the media revealed that the attackers arrived suddenly and carried out the operation without resistance as residents and worshippers fled for safety.
The source confirmed that nine people were taken away by the attackers.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that nine people were kidnapped today and whisked away by the assailants,” the source said.
Residents said the gunmen, suspected to be bandits operating in parts of the region, invaded the church premises and forcefully took the victims to an unknown destination.
The incident has thrown the Oro-Ago community into fear and confusion, as residents expressed concern over the growing insecurity in parts of Kwara State and surrounding communities.
Source said the attack happened on Sunday during church activities, when worshippers had gathered for service before the assailants stormed the premises and carried out the abduction.
Community members have since called on security agencies to urgently intervene and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or confirm whether security operatives have begun a rescue operation.
It was previously reported that security agencies in Kwara State were placed on high alert following intelligence indicating that suspected terrorists are planning coordinated attacks on three local government areas in the Kwara South Senatorial District.
The planned attacks are believed to target Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Isin Local Government Areas of the state, with the suspected terrorists reportedly preparing to strike simultaneously on March 23 and March 28, 2026.
The media gathered that security operatives across the affected areas have been alerted and precautionary measures are currently being intensified to prevent any potential assault on communities within the three local governments.
The alert was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, who urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
According to the statement, relevant authorities including the Kwara State Police Command, the chairmen of Ifelodun, Irepodun and Isin Local Government Areas, as well as other security agencies, have been formally notified about the looming threat.
Two major gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, have picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The duo picked the forms on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adelabu is the immediate past Minister of Power and hails from Ibadan.
Alli, on the other hand, currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.
He is also an indigene of Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, Mr Ajiboye, picked up the form on behalf of his boss at the APC Secretariat in Abuja.
Alli, on his part, collected the form himself in Abuja.
Alli was accompanied by some members of the House of Representatives, among whom were Remi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged the government of South Africa to step up protection for Nigerians and other black immigrants following reports of renewed xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa warned that the situation had worsened despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries.
According to the commission, recent reports suggest children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of looting, harassment and targeted attacks. Community leaders have also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
NIDCOM appealed to South African authorities to take “urgent and visible steps” to safeguard foreign nationals, citing obligations under international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
The commission rejected what it described as the profiling of Nigerians, stressing that crime should be treated as an individual matter. “Crime has no nationality,” the statement said, adding that offenders should be prosecuted under South African law rather than entire communities being stigmatised.
Among its demands, NIDCOM called for increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and work, swift arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also urged South African authorities to issue clear public messages condemning xenophobia and stereotyping.
Nigerians living in South Africa were advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark. NIDCOM said it is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the consulate in Johannesburg, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While condemning the attacks, the commission praised the majority of South Africans who continue to live peacefully with other Africans, expressing confidence in the longstanding ties between both nations and pledging continued diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad.
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, following the tragic incident that occurred on April 26, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed the immediate withdrawal of all officers linked to the incident from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they underwent accelerated disciplinary proceedings.
The statement revealed that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), after a thorough review, found that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other established regulations guiding the use of firearms.
The committee described his actions as unlawful, unprofessional, and a serious betrayal of the oath sworn to protect lives and uphold the law.
Following the findings, the FDC recommended the immediate dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers found culpable in the incident.
The Inspector-General of Police has since approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Police Service Commission for ratification in line with due process.
The Force also confirmed that upon completion of the administrative procedures, the affected officers would be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over their roles in the extrajudicial killing.
Reaffirming the Force’s stance, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force maintains zero tolerance for extrajudicial actions and abuse of power, stressing that no officer has the right to take life outside the provisions of the law.
He emphasized that any officer found violating this principle would face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Inspector-General also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Mene Ogidi, assuring them that the matter would not be treated lightly and that justice would be served transparently to restore public confidence.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, while assuring citizens of the Force’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.
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