Gunmen on Sunday attacked the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara, and kidnapped eight members of the congregation.
The suspected bandits stormed the church during the Sunday service, firing shots into the air to frighten worshippers.
Sources said three of those abducted later managed to escape, leaving five still in captivity.
The state government confirmed the attack through the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, who directed security agencies and local vigilantes to track down the kidnappers.
“The government commended the security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes for the proactive response to the incident and the rescue of three of the eight victims of the abduction,” the statement added.
The government strongly condemned the cowardly attacks on places of worship.
In a statement on Sunday, the state urged security personnel, forest guards, local vigilantes, and community members to continue working together to stop such criminal acts.
“While commending the immediate response of the security forces and other stakeholders, we task them to ensure that the ongoing manhunt leads to the rescue of the remaining victims and arrest of the perpetrators.
“The government also commended the security forces, forest guards, and vigilantes for the appreciable progress made in their combing of the forests, which has largely curtailed the activities of the criminals in the areas.
“The government again assured the people of its continuous commitment to work with security forces and community stakeholders to protect lives and property.”
