Rampaging bandits shot dead three people and abducted at least ten others during a violent attack inside Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti local government area of Kwara State on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. during service, leaving the community in shock. One girl is reportedly critically injured with a gunshot wound to her neck.
Spokesperson of Eruku Community, Olasukanmi Ayeni, confirmed that the victims killed were Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja, and Deremi. He noted that the attack followed weeks of repeated bandit attempts to enter the town via Eruku/Egbe and Eruku/Omuaran roads, which were previously thwarted by local hunters and vigilantes.
Ayeni criticized the state and local government for failing to respond to repeated SOS calls during the bandits’ incursions, adding that the local government chairman, Wale Awelewa, had not visited the community as of Wednesday morning. He, however, commended the police for collaborating with local vigilantes to track and repel the attackers.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that swift response by the DPO Eruku and his team, in coordination with vigilantes, forced the bandits to flee. Victims discovered included Mr. Aderemi, fatally shot inside the church, Mr. Tunde Asaba Ajayi, found dead in the bush, and Segun Alaja, who sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku. Police assured that security operations against the bandits will continue until they are completely neutralized.