The pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, has provided harrowing new details about the deadly bandit attack that turned a thanksgiving service into a scene of tragedy.
The Attack Timeline and Motive
In an exclusive interview with ANF TV, the pastor revealed that the assault occurred between 5-6 pm on Wednesday evening while congregants were gathered for a special service. The worship session held deeper significance than regular church activities - it was organized to give thanks to God for the safe return of 18 church members who had been kidnapped three weeks earlier and subsequently rescued.
"We were doing a Thanksgiving service for the 18 people that were kidnapped 3 weeks ago, and all of them were rescued. That's why we're doing the service—to thank God for the rescue of those people," the pastor explained during his emotional account.
Bandits' Brutal Methods
The armed men immediately began violent operations upon entering the church premises. According to the pastor's firsthand account, "They began to gun people down in the church" before proceeding to abduct numerous worshippers.
The religious leader confirmed that approximately 35 church members were kidnapped during the coordinated attack, adding to the tragic death toll from the shooting incident. The attack has sparked national outrage and intensified concerns about security challenges in Kwara State and across Nigeria.
National Response and Related Incidents
The Eruku church attack has become a national talking point, with security experts and citizens alike calling for improved protection of worship centers. In a related development, a Nigerian doctor gained social media attention after sharing photographs of victims rescued from the attack.
Among the survivors was a 49-year-old woman who managed to escape the bandits by maintaining her composure and thinking quickly during the chaotic situation. Her survival story offers a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy that has left the Eruku community in mourning.
Local authorities and security agencies have launched investigations into the attack while efforts continue to secure the safe return of the kidnapped worshippers. The incident highlights the growing security challenges facing religious institutions in various parts of Nigeria.
