Kwara Church Holds Service After Bandit Attack
The Christ Apostolic Church, CAC Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, on Sunday held a special service in its blood-stained auditorium, praying for the safe return of kidnapped members and remembering those killed during Tuesday’s brutal bandit attack.
The church confirmed that 38 worshippers were abducted, correcting earlier social media claims.
The church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, told PUNCH Online that the initial list included 35 members, but further verification revealed that three non-members were also taken.
“The rumour that over 60 people were kidnapped is not true. I have a list with their phone numbers. We don’t want any misinformation. We have 38 people inside the bush. Three died, and one is receiving treatment in the hospital,” Agbabiaka said.
He added that the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million per victim, later reducing the ransom to N20 million each before cutting off communication on Friday.
Despite the fear gripping Eruku, the church encouraged members to attend Sunday’s service to strengthen their faith. “We thank God for life today. Only a few people could come because it has not been easy, but God gave us courage. We also thank the government for deploying security. They are patrolling the town, and even here in the church, security operatives are present,” he said.
During the service, presiding pastor Bamidele Lawrence described the attack as a test of faith. Quoting 2 Peter 3:10, he assured the congregation that all kidnapped members would return safely.
“The first promise God gave me is that all our kidnapped members will gain freedom very soon. They will not die in captivity. God says He will assist us. Our children, mothers and wives will come out strong. It will be a miracle to the world when our people regain their freedom,” he said.
Lawrence also linked Nigeria’s worsening insecurity to biblical prophecies about the end times, urging worshippers not to fear.
One affected worshipper, James Ige, whose wife and son were among the abducted, pleaded with authorities to intensify rescue efforts. “I beg the government and security agencies to do everything within their capacity to bring my family back safely,” he said.
PUNCH Online observed a heavy security presence across Eruku on Sunday, including soldiers, the Special Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara State Police Command, and local vigilante groups.
The deployment follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a joint operation to track down the attackers and rescue the victims.
Kwara State has recently experienced a spike in bandit attacks, particularly in border communities in Ekiti and Kaima Local Government Areas.
The Eruku church attack adds to a growing list of kidnappings targeting residents, travellers, and worshippers, raising concerns about expanding criminal networks across Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
