Bandits Abduct 30 In Kwara Church Attack

Fresh details have emerged on how bandits abducted over 30 persons in the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. This is just as the Kebbi State government released the names of the girls kidnapped from the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, on Monday, November 17, 2025.

The Kwara attack, which happened around 6:00pm on Tuesday, led to the death of three persons, Daily Trust gathered.

The pastor of the church, Lawrence Bamidele, while addressing journalists said over 30 persons were kidnapped. He said the service was actually a thanksgiving for 18 persons who were kidnapped about two weeks ago and freed.

In a video which went viral on social media, the worshippers had gathered for a service which was being streamed live, when gunshots rented the air.

Some of the worshippers took cover behind the chairs in the church but the attackers who fired bullets from outside, later gained entry.

One of the attackers was seen carrying the bags of worshippers. At least two of the gunmen masked their identities while another was seen with a flashlight.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Wednesday from Eruku, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed that the death toll had risen to three. He said the police were yet to get the exact number of the abductees, but added that families were being contacted while local leaders were conducting a head count.

According to him, the police had designed a method to compile an accurate list by coordinating directly with households that reported missing family members.

He said the move became necessary due to conflicting figures from residents.

“Three people had been confirmed dead. Two of the victims died immediately at the scene when the bandits opened fire inside the church during an evening programme. A third victim, who was evacuated to the hospital, later died on Wednesday afternoon,” Ojo said.

He clarified that contrary to earlier speculations, no pastor was killed. He said the resident pastor of the church, Mr Bamidele, was the person who spoke to the police team at the scene and assisted in rushing one of the victims to the hospital.

The commissioner added that no arrest had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.

He said a combined team of police operatives, local vigilantes and intelligence units were already inside the surrounding bushes tracking the escape route of the attackers.

He confirmed that security presence had been intensified across Eruku and neighbouring communities due to repeated incidents in the area in recent weeks.

However, chairman of the Eruku Progressive Union, Elder Sola Daniel, said, “twenty-seven people were taken by the bandits during the attack.”

He said the “community had compiled the names of all abductees. The complete list is not with me now but the union has documented every missing person.”

Elder Daniel said the people of Eruku felt exposed due to the frequency of attacks.

He said the community had resolved to carry out a peaceful protest to the Government House in Ilorin on Thursday to appeal directly to the governor.

He said the objective of the protest was to demand a more permanent security arrangement and a thorough investigation into the repeated crimes in the area.

The Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Awelewa Olawale, who also confirmed the death of the third victim, said his vigilante team arrived in Eruku immediately after the incident to join forces with the local vigilante network.

He said the “bandits shot two people dead inside the church and injured a third person who was transported to the hospital. The victim later died in the hospital.”

He said the vigilante teams from both the local government and Eruku community entered the bush early in the morning to pursue the attackers.

According to him, the operation was ongoing and the teams were still inside the forest at the time he spoke.

The chairman said the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services and other senior security officials were already in Eruku monitoring developments.

He said Eruku had been under repeated attacks because of its location close to the state boundary.

He added that the area had been exposed to movements from neighbouring forests and that residents had lived under tension for weeks before the latest incident.

Meanwhile, youths in Eruku on Wednesday barricaded the Ilorin-Kabba highway in protest over the attacked on the community, accusing security agencies of abandoning residents during assault.

Following the incident, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has requested that more and urgent security deployment be made to Ekiti Local Government Area, especially Eruku axis, to immediately curtail the new wave of attacks in the area.

“The governor has sought immediate deployment of more security operatives to support the existing security architecture in the area,” according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“He requested that this new measure be activated immediately. The governor wholly condemns the unconscionable attack, sympathises and identifies with the people of Eruku and environs, especially families and the CAC directly impacted by the condemnable attack of Tuesday.

“The state government will continue to support the security agencies to tackle these challenges and ensure safety of lives and properties across the state,” he said.

The governor, similarly, commended President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of 900 additional troops in Kwara, saying this is expected to strengthen security in the state.

“We have indeed seen appreciable calm in many areas previously affected. We sincerely thank the President for this. We are confident that the additional troops will provide further deterrence, overall safety for our people, and permanent calm,” the statement added.

The former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has also condemned the attack, describing it as a shocking and deeply distressing incident.

Saraki, in a statement on Wednesday, via his social media handle, said he received the news of the attack with great concern.

“I sympathise with all the victims and their relatives. I pray for Allah’s healing, restoration and strength at this difficult time,” he said.

Saraki urged the federal government and the heads of security agencies to swiftly secure the release of those abducted and strengthen security across the state.

He further emphasised the need for a robust, long-term security arrangement for the state, given its strategic national position.

“The state is one of the gateways into the country and a link between the southern and northern parts. This makes it deserving of a special security arrangement that will not jeopardise our national interest and internal peace,” Saraki added.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, expressed concern over the incident stressing that, “It is most unfortunate, condemnable and worrisome.”

He said he was saddened by the fact that the incident occurred when governments at all levels were making concerted efforts towards getting the nation rid of banditry, terrorism and other felonious acts.

The emir appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts by mobilising forces for the safe return of all the kidnapped victims even as he mourned those who were killed during the attack.

A retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta, urged the government to provide a stronger security presence, pointing out that the existing police post and military station are insufficient and overstretched.

He appealed for more personnel, logistics and effective monitoring because bandits often mix with locals and sometimes strangers are noticed but not reported.

“The community needs a strengthened vigilante framework coordinated with the police and the involvement of traditional institutions and grassroots structures such as village heads, mogaji and alangua is also very important,” he said. (Daily trust)