The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun at Oke-Ado Street in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, became the scene of a horrifying attack last Tuesday evening. The congregation, gathered for a thanksgiving service celebrating the release of 18 previously abducted residents, was unaware that danger loomed nearby.
Bandits Lay in Wait
According to reports, the bandits had stationed themselves atop trees around the church, waiting for the right moment to strike. Midway through the service, the attackers jumped down and stormed the building, firing indiscriminately. The invasion lasted approximately one hour.
“The bandits came in and surrounded the church, shooting sporadically. Some who ran outside were shot from the trees where the attackers were hiding. Three people died on the spot, and 35 members were abducted,” said Pastor Lawrence Abiodun Bamidele, the resident pastor.
Victims and Community Response
The spokesperson of Eruku Community, Olasukanmi Ayeni, identified the deceased as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja, and one Deremi, while another girl remains critically injured in hospital. Ayeni added that local hunters and vigilantes had previously resisted attempts by bandits to enter the town via Eruku/Egbe and Eruku/Omu-Aran roads.
Despite repeated calls to the state and local government during these incursions, the community reported receiving no response. “The police in the community did a fantastic job following our local hunters to track the bandits in the forests. However, state-level support was lacking, which allowed the attackers to reinforce and penetrate our town,” Ayeni said.
Eyewitness Accounts
One victim, Adesuyi Joshua, recounted, “They took my wife and granddaughter along with about 30 others. At first, we thought the gunshots were firecrackers. By the time we mobilized, it was too late. When we pursued them, police tear-gassed us, letting the bandits escape.”
Another youth leader, Shola Peters, accused the police of failing the community. “These are the same officers our town supported. We need the Inspector General to probe the Eruku division. We are willing to defend ourselves if given the tools.”
Government Response
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited Eruku on Wednesday to assess the situation. He announced plans to establish a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in the area to prevent future attacks.
“All security agencies are on this. The President is aware, and we are on top of the situation,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the state government ordered the closure of schools in four local government areas—Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti—due to escalating insecurity. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State Wing, issued the directive, emphasizing the safety of students and staff.
