Fear and mass displacement have gripped multiple communities in Kwara State following a brutal attack on a church in Ifelodun Local Government Area that left three worshippers dead and thirty-five others abducted.
Eyewitness Account of the Church Attack
One survivor who witnessed the horrific incident described how approximately thirty heavily armed bandits stormed the church during Tuesday night service, creating chaos among congregants. The attackers operated for hours without facing meaningful resistance from security forces, according to local accounts gathered by journalists.
"When they started shouting, we all ran away, trying to hide and protect our lives," the eyewitness recounted. "They shot at the church security man before eventually entering the church with guns."
In a desperate attempt to escape, some worshippers climbed into the church ceiling to hide from the attackers. However, the bandits pursued them even into these hiding places. "Some people hid in the ceiling of the church. But these bandits went up there to take them out. When they were doing this, some of us were able to escape, and that was how God saved us," the survivor explained.
Aftermath and Community Response
The attack has triggered widespread panic across several local government areas, with Christian families evacuating their wives and children to perceived safer urban centers like Ilorin and Offa. Both public and private schools have been shut down in Ifelodun, Oke Ero, and Ekiti Local Government Areas due to intelligence reports suggesting potential mass abductions of schoolchildren.
"The incident that happened in Eruku has sent strong warning to us, the Christians in the rural areas," one resident stated. "Many of us are already planning relocation to a safer town. We need to protect our lives from these bandits."
Following the attack, the community buried two of the deceased victims in Osi. The survivor noted that evidence of the violent encounter remained visible: "After the incident, we saw not less than 100 bullets fired by these bandits on the ground. This is to tell you how powerful they were. They were very armed."
Government Reaction and Security Measures
In response to the escalating security crisis, the Kwara State Government implemented what it describes as "proactive security measures" across five local government areas. Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, announced that the measures immediately affect schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.
During a visit to Eruku town on Wednesday, November 19, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq assured residents that President Tinubu had ordered military reinforcements. "President Tinubu ordered that 900 soldiers should be deployed at Babanla, Oke-Ode," the governor stated. "As I speak, President Tinubu ordered today that they should bring additional security into the state."
Despite these assurances, bandits struck again just hours after the governor's visit, abducting four farmers in Bokungi village in Edu Local Government Area. The coordinated attack occurred between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, with victims being taken from farmlands where they were retrieving harvested rice.
The persistent attacks have raised serious concerns about security effectiveness in the region, with residents calling for more robust protection measures to prevent further tragedies.
