In a horrifying turn of events, a church service in Kwara State turned into a scene of terror as armed bandits stormed the premises, abducting dozens of worshippers. The attack has left a community in mourning and a mother desperately searching for her missing child.
A Mother's Agonizing Cry
The heartbreaking wail of a distraught woman echoes the profound pain inflicted by the attackers. A female member of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, in the Ekuru community, was left in anguish, crying out for her missing child, Timileyin.
"I have not seen my child ooo!! Timileyin my child! I have not seen my child since yesterday ooo!!!" she lamented. Her child is among the 35 worshippers abducted by the bandits during the evening service on Tuesday, November 18.
Thanksgiving Service Turned Tragic
In a cruel twist of fate, the congregation was gathered for a special purpose. According to another church member, they were holding a thanksgiving service for the safe release of members who were kidnapped just three weeks prior.
"We were doing thanksgiving service for the people that were kidnapped about three weeks ago and all of them were rescued. That is why we were doing the evening service to thank God for the rescue of those people," the member explained.
The service, meant to celebrate a previous deliverance, was violently interrupted at about 6:00 PM by the armed invaders. The bandits not only seized 35 members but also caused fatalities. Three worshippers were killed in the attack, and one other is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
Community and Security Aftermath
This brazen attack on a place of worship in Ekuru community, located on Okeado street, has sent shockwaves through Kwara State and beyond. It highlights the persistent security challenges facing many Nigerian communities, where citizens are vulnerable even in sacred spaces.
The incident, which was captured on video and shared on platforms like the Linda Ikeji blog, raises urgent questions about the safety of worshippers and the need for enhanced security measures in vulnerable areas.
