Families of 15 Christian worshippers abducted during a late-May church vigil attack in Kwara State say they are growing increasingly desperate, as weeks pass without any word from the kidnappers.
The victims were taken during an armed assault on a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye in Ikiran Village, Ekiti Local Government Area, an incident previously confirmed by the Kwara State Police Command. Three worshippers were killed in the attack, while 15 others were forced into the surrounding forest by armed men.
Since then, relatives say they have received no communication, no ransom demands, and no indication that the abducted worshippers are still alive. The prolonged silence has fueled fears that the victims may have been killed in captivity.
Speaking anonymously for security reasons, one family member said the lack of updates has left families in a state of distress and uncertainty. Another relative accused authorities of failing to provide clear information or progress reports on rescue efforts.
“We are just waiting and praying, but every day without news increases our fear,” one source said, adding that the absence of contact from the abductors has deepened anxiety among affected families.
The families also pointed to previous cases in Kwara State where abducted worshippers reportedly died in captivity, saying those incidents have heightened their current fears.
Security agencies have said operations were launched immediately after the attack, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated search efforts involving tactical units. However, families say they have seen no visible breakthroughs since then.
Community members in the area say uncertainty is spreading across nearby villages, with residents increasingly worried about ongoing attacks on rural communities and places of worship.
While authorities maintain that rescue efforts are still underway, the families of the missing worshippers say the silence from both officials and the kidnappers is becoming unbearable, as hope continues to fade with each passing day.#newsafro_
