Worshippers in Eruku, a border town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were attacked during a church service on the evening of Tuesday, November 18, 2025, when suspected bandits opened fire inside a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m., interrupting a special service and resulting in multiple deaths and abductions. Around the same period, another group of attackers struck along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, forcing travellers to abandon their vehicles and flee into nearby bushes.
The attacks are the latest in a series of assaults reported in the community over the past three weeks. Residents say they have repeatedly alerted authorities about unusual movements in nearby forest corridors but received no substantial action before Tuesday’s incidents.
As search efforts continue for the abducted worshippers, including the church pastor, security operatives have expanded operations across bush paths linking Kwara to Kogi State. The events have renewed concerns about unchecked bandit activity in border regions and the vulnerability of rural communities to coordinated attacks.
The Events of the Attack
According to accounts gathered from community members and security authorities, the attackers struck in two coordinated operations on the same day.
The first incident unfolded inside a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church during a special service. Witnesses say the attackers stormed the building, shooting indiscriminately. “The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately,” an eyewitness recounted. The assailants then rounded up several worshippers, including the pastor, and forced them into the bush. The exact number of abductees is still unknown.
Police later confirmed that two victims, identified as Mr. Aderemi and Mr. Tunde Asaba Ajayi, were found dead — one inside the church and the other in a nearby bush. A vigilante member, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to repel the attackers.
Shortly after the church invasion, the bandits launched another assault along the Ilorin–Kabba Road. A traveller caught in the chaos described the incident in a distressing voice recording:
“They came around 6:30 p.m. and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken… They are still shooting, you can hear it.”
Residents say Eruku has been under “perpetual attacks” for weeks, with community leader Mr. Benjamin Ayeoribe lamenting the lack of effective government response:
“We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day… We need federal help.”
Reactions
Public Reactions From X (formerly Twitter)
@Clems_Andy:
“I watched this as though I was inside that church.
Do you know the feeling of being attacked and surrounded by gun-wielding terrorists shooting sporadically?
Do you know what it feels like to be completely defenseless in the face of death?
Do you know what it means to surrender yourself entirely to the mercy of God?”
@lapnengyitbe:
“Nigeria is burning — schools attacked, churches invaded, girls kidnapped, yet no national address, no urgency.
But a state of emergency was declared in Rivers instantly over politics.
If terrorists can shoot for 40 minutes and escape, but citizens get tracked for tweets, then the problem is not capacity… it’s priority.
This government has failed.”
@TheToff_:
“I kon dey fear go church on Sunday.
See what this country has become.”
@korede:
“If this live stream wasn’t here, the government would have most likely come out to deny it.”
These reactions reflect widespread national sentiment — fear, anger, and a growing distrust in the authorities’ capacity to protect citizens.
Security Measures Taken in Response to the Attack
In the immediate aftermath, security agents — including police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters — launched coordinated search-and-rescue missions across border forests leading to Kogi State.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, officers from the Eruku Division “swiftly responded to gunshots,” forcing the attackers to flee into the bush. Joint operations have since been expanded, with patrols stationed along the Ilorin–Kabba Road to prevent further ambushes.
Community security groups, although overwhelmed, continue to support rescue efforts by setting up night patrols and deploying local trackers. Border surveillance has also been strengthened, and intelligence sharing with neighbouring state commands is reportedly underway.
Despite these steps, residents insist that the measures are insufficient without federal reinforcement, especially as attacks have persisted for weeks despite multiple distress calls.
What the Government Is Saying
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack and stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims. In a statement, Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo commended the “swift response” of security teams and assured residents that operations will continue “until these hoodlums are totally decimated.”
However, neither the state government nor federal authorities have issued a comprehensive public address detailing long-term intervention plans. This silence has intensified nationwide criticism, with many questioning the government’s priorities amid rising insecurity.
For communities like Eruku, the immediate demand remains clear: urgent federal support, sustained patrol presence, and actionable strategies to prevent further loss of life.
