Some Christian worshippers in the Ekiti local government area of Kwara state have decided to suspend church services following repeated deadly attacks by terrorists targeting worship centres, Leadership reports.
Community members who spoke with the news platform on Sunday evening, May 24, said many churches in the affected communities have now been shut down temporarily. Residents are also fleeing for safety.
The development followed an attack on a prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village, where terrorists killed three worshippers and abducted 15 others.
The latest attack occurred during a night vigil on Saturday, May 23, when gunmen invaded the prayer ground and opened fire on worshippers.
Residents said the attacks on churches now appear deliberate and coordinated, forcing many Christian leaders and worshippers to abandon gatherings entirely. One worshipper, John, told Leadership that many residents no longer see churches as safe places.
“We have decided to stop all church services for now because we realised the church is no longer safe for us again,” John said.
“These bandits keep warning us that if we continue to hold church services, they will keep attacking and killing our people. We are living in fear because there are no security operatives around to protect us.”
John said the repeated attacks have traumatised entire communities, especially young people who now fear attending worship programmes in remote areas.
“It is obvious now that these attacks are targeted at churches and worshippers,” he added.
“Despite repeated assurances from security agencies that the situation is under control, nothing has changed.
Our youth leaders have decided to close down churches and relocate many members to safer places,” he said.
