Gunmen kill 3 worshippers, abduct 15 in Kwara prayer ground attack

Armed men have killed 3 worshippers and abducted at least 15 others during an attack on a prayer gathering in Kwara State, in the latest incident of violent insecurity in parts of north-central Nigeria.

The attack reportedly occurred at a prayer ground where residents had gathered for religious observance when the gunmen stormed the location, opening fire before whisking away several participants into nearby bushland.

Local sources and community members said the assailants arrived in large numbers and operated for several minutes before security response teams could mobilise to the scene. Three worshippers were confirmed dead, while 15 others were taken away by the attackers.

Security agencies have since launched a search-and-rescue operation aimed at tracking the kidnappers and securing the release of the abducted victims. Police authorities in Kwara State have also deployed tactical teams to surrounding forests believed to be escape routes for the armed group.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims or the exact location of the incident, as investigations are ongoing.

The attack adds to a growing pattern of violent raids on rural communities and soft targets in parts of Nigeria, where armed groups increasingly target gatherings, highways, and farming settlements for kidnappings and ransom demands.

Residents in affected areas have called for increased security presence and faster response times, warning that repeated attacks are heightening fear and disrupting daily life in rural communities.