How Bandits Killed Kwara Christians Inside Church

How Bandits Killed Kwara Christians Inside Church

A detailed account of Tuesday’s deadly attack by bandits on Eruku community in Kwara State has emerged, painting a harrowing picture of violence and desecration.

The incident occurred at about 6:05 pm during a service at the First C.A.C Church, Oke Isegun branch, in the Oke Ado Area of Eruku town. According to security reports and eyewitness accounts, the worshippers were holding a special programme when the assailants struck.

A livestream of the service, which has since circulated, captured the terrifying moment gunshots rang out from outside the church. As the gunfire intensified, panicked worshippers scrambled for safety. Video footage shows more than five armed men entering the building and ransacking the premises.

The attack turned bloody as the bandits opened fire on the congregation. Security reports confirm that three people lost their lives in the assault. The victims included two individuals identified as Asaba and Deremi, while the third victim remains unidentified.

After the shooting, the attackers abducted the church pastor and a large number of congregants. Initial security reports indicated that at least 30 residents, including the elderly and children, were taken into the bush.

Those who suffered various gunshot injuries were rushed to Egbe General Hospital in the neighbouring Kogi State for medical attention.

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks by bandits in and around Eruku town, which shares a common boundary with Kogi State. However, last Tuesday’s attack, marked by its brazen targeting of a church, has thrown the entire community into a new level of panic and fear.

A community leader, Benjamin Ayeoribe, lamented that Eruku has suffered repeated bandit attacks over the past three weeks. “We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day,” he said.

Residents have called for urgent attention from the authorities. In response, security agencies have now entered the bush in a search and rescue operation for those in captivity.

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the development through its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, promising to provide further details as investigations progress.

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