The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, held a solemn service on Sunday inside its blood-stained auditorium, days after armed bandits stormed the church and abducted dozens of worshippers. Despite the fear and trauma still hanging over the community, church leaders urged members to gather in faith and pray for the safe return of those still held captive.
Speaking on Sunday, the church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, clarified that 38 people were kidnapped during the attack, dispelling social media reports that over 60 worshippers were taken. He explained that the church initially counted 35 abducted members, but further checks showed that three non-members were also among the victims.
Agbabiaka added that the attackers demanded N100 million per victim, later slashing the ransom to N20 million each before cutting off communication on Friday. He noted that fear still grips Eruku, but security operatives have since been deployed to the town and the church premises.
During the service, the presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, called the incident a test of faith, assuring the congregation that God had revealed to him that all abducted members would return alive. He urged worshippers not to lose hope, saying the rising insecurity was part of end-time biblical prophecies.
Residents like James Ige, whose wife and son were taken, appealed to security agencies to intensify their rescue efforts.
Security personnel—including soldiers, special police squads, and local vigilantes—maintained heavy patrols across Eruku following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a coordinated rescue mission.
Kwara has recently experienced increased bandit activities, particularly in border communities, raising concerns about widening criminal operations in the region.
