By Ayomide Otitoju
At least 30 worshippers were abducted and three others killed during a bandit attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday.
According to community sources, the kidnappers have begun contacting the families of the victims, demanding ₦100 million for each individual. Chief Olusegun Olukotun, Olori Eta of Eruku, whose four relatives were among those taken, said the bandits grouped the victims by family before making ransom demands.
“I and one of my wards escaped the attack around 6:06 p.m. through the church’s window. Some community members have received calls demanding ₦100 million per person,” Olukotun said.
Pastor Abiodun Bamidele, who leads the church, confirmed that between 30 and 35 members were abducted during the incident, which occurred while the congregation was holding a Thanksgiving service for 18 worshippers kidnapped three weeks earlier—all of whom had since been rescued.
Following the attack, youths of Eruku staged a protest, blocking the Ilorin–Kabba highway and causing severe traffic disruption. The protesters accused local security operatives of inaction during the hour-long assault. Peter Adesiyan, a youth leader, criticised the police for failing to respond despite community support in building facilities for the division.
In response, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for urgent security reinforcements in the council to curb the recent spate of attacks affecting border communities.
The Eruku incident is part of an ongoing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks in Kwara State, raising concerns about the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.
