Suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on worshippers at a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara state, leaving at least three people dead and several others abducted, including the church pastor.
The Attack on Oke Isegun Church
The violent incident occurred on Monday evening, November 17, 2025, in Eruku, a boundary community between Kwara and Kogi states located in Ekiti Local Government Area. According to security sources, the armed assailants stormed the church building while congregants were actively conducting their service.
Eyewitness accounts describe how the attackers entered the worship center and began shooting sporadically, creating panic among the congregation. The worshippers, led by their young pastor, scrambled for safety as the gunfire intensified within the church premises.
Casualties and Abductions
Security reports confirm that three worshippers were shot dead instantly during the attack. The assailants then rounded up an unspecified number of congregants, including the church pastor, and forcefully marched them into nearby bushes.
A source quoted by The Punch newspaper provided chilling details: "The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately. They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and marched them into the bush."
More than five armed bandits were reported to have participated in the attack, during which they also ransacked the place of worship and carted away personal belongings of the congregants.
Viral Video Evidence
A disturbing video of the attack has surfaced online, captured during what appears to be a church live stream. The footage shows congregants conducting their service peacefully when sudden gunshots are heard from around the church premises.
The video evidence provides visual confirmation of the terrifying moments as worshippers scrambled for safety while the armed attackers entered the church building. The chilling recording has been widely circulated on social media platforms, drawing national attention to the incident.
Broader Security Context
This attack occurs against the backdrop of Nigeria's persistent security challenges, which include:
- Widespread banditry and kidnapping for ransom
- Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency in the northeast
- Farmer-herder conflicts across various regions
- Separatist violence in some parts of the country
These overlapping security crises continue to strain Nigeria's security forces and impact communities regardless of religious or ethnic background.
The Eruku church attack highlights the growing vulnerability of worship centers and the urgent need for enhanced security measures around soft targets across Nigeria's north-central region.
