Families of 15 Christian worshippers abducted during a night vigil attack in Kwara State have raised fresh concerns over the fate of their loved ones, alleging that both the federal and state governments have abandoned efforts to secure their release as silence from the terrorists continues weeks after the abduction.
The worshippers were kidnapped in late May during an armed attack on a church vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, an incident earlier confirmed by the Kwara State Police Command.
SaharaReporters had reported that three worshippers were killed during the attack, while 15 others were taken into the forest by armed assailants.
However, family members now say they fear the abducted victims may no longer be alive, citing prolonged silence from the kidnappers and what they describe as a lack of visible progress in rescue efforts.
One of the affected relatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the absence of communication has deepened anxiety among families already traumatised by the attack.
“We have not heard anything from those who took them. No call, no demand, nothing. That is why we are afraid that something terrible may have happened to them,” the relative said.
The family member accused authorities of neglecting the victims, insisting that repeated appeals for updates have gone unanswered.
“Government has not told us anything concrete. We are just waiting and praying, but every day that passes without news increases our fear,” the source said.
The families also linked their concerns to previous reports of deaths among abducted worshippers in other incidents in Kwara State, saying the situation appears to be repeating itself.
“We heard about other worshippers who died in captivity recently. Now we are scared that the same thing may have happened to our own people,” another relative said.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that armed criminals stormed the vigil in the early hours of May 23, 2026, firing sporadically before abducting worshippers and killing three others.
According to the Kwara State Police Command, operatives were immediately deployed to the area following the distress report, while the Commissioner of Police ordered a joint rescue operation involving tactical units, intelligence teams, and forest patrols.
The Command assured residents that “vigorous efforts were ongoing, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.”
Despite these assurances, families say there has been no public update on the whereabouts of the victims.
A community source familiar with the situation said fear is spreading across affected villages as uncertainty continues.
“People are worried because there is no communication from the abductors. The families are losing hope,” the source said.
The incident comes amid growing insecurity in Kwara’s rural communities, where repeated attacks on churches and isolated settlements have left residents increasingly vulnerable.
SaharaReporters also previously reported that five worshippers abducted in a separate ECWA church attack in the state were later confirmed to have died in captivity, further heightening fears among families of missing persons.
Meanwhile, authorities have yet to confirm any deaths in relation to the Ori-Oke Ajaiye incident, while security agencies maintain that rescue operations are ongoing.
(SaharaReporters)