The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, was thrown into chaos Tuesday evening after armed bandits invaded a thanksgiving service, killing three worshippers and abducting 35 others.
The church, filled with congregants gathered to celebrate the safe return of 18 kidnapped residents recently freed, was attacked around 6:30 pm. Unknown to them, the same bandits had allegedly monitored the thanksgiving arrangements and positioned themselves on trees surrounding the church premises before striking.
According to eyewitnesses, the service was ongoing when rapid gunshots tore through the air. Many initially thought it was fireworks marking the festive season — until four armed men brandishing AK-47 rifles stormed the building, firing indiscriminately.
‘They Surrounded the Church and Opened Fire’ — Pastor
Resident Pastor, Lawrence Abiodun Bamidele, described the attack as sudden and devastating.
“We were celebrating the return of those earlier kidnapped. Suddenly, the bandits came in and surrounded the church. They shot three people on the spot and abducted 35 others,” he told journalists.
The deceased were identified as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja, and a man known as Deremi. Another young girl remains hospitalised with a critical neck injury.
Community Accuses Police, Raises Alarm on Possible Inside Collaboration
Spokesperson for the community, Olasukanmi Ayeni, said the bandits had made several attempts to invade Eruku in the past month but were driven back by local hunters. He lamented that distress calls to state and local authorities during those earlier attempts were ignored.
Tensions escalated after residents accused the police of failing to intervene during the attack despite being stationed nearby.
A victim, Adesuyi Joshua, who lost his wife and granddaughter to the abduction, alleged that police officers only responded after locals mobilised themselves — and even then, fired shots and tear gas at residents instead of pursuing the attackers.
Youth leader, Shola Peters, echoed the same concerns, saying:
“This same pattern happened in Oke-Ode months ago. Our vigilantes were taken to Ilorin for training days before the attack. It doesn’t look ordinary. The IGP must investigate.”
He insisted the community can defend itself if properly equipped, noting that the attackers carried sophisticated weapons, including AK-49 rifles and machine guns, while locals had only Dane guns.
Government Reacts: Schools Closed, Military Base Planned
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, visited the community on Wednesday, describing the attack as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
He revealed plans to establish a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in the area to prevent future incidents.
In a related move, the state government ordered the closure of schools across Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs due to heightened security threats.
Youth Protest, Block Ilorin–Kabba Expressway
Hours after the attack, hundreds of youths barricaded the Ilorin-Kabba Expressway with bonfires and logs, accusing security agencies of abandoning the community despite repeated warnings of bandit activity.
A vigilante who spoke anonymously suggested possible foul play, noting the suspicious coincidence between the withdrawal of local guards and the timing of the attack.
Traditional Rulers, Leaders React
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, condemned the attack as “unpatriotic and worrisome,” urging security agents to intensify rescue operations.
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also described the incident as “deeply distressing,” calling for urgent nationwide security reforms and the safe return of all abducted victims.
Residents Live in Fear
The Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Arinde Oyediran Olanrewaju, lamented that the community had been living under constant threat throughout the year.
“Our farmers have fled. Teachers have run away. We contribute money to free kidnapped victims. The roads are bad, and before help can arrive, the attackers escape.”
The Eruku attack is the latest in a growing wave of insecurity sweeping Kwara’s border communities, which locals say have become entry points for bandits fleeing military operations in neighbouring states.