Celebration Turned Carnage: Released Hostages Re-Kidnapped in Shocking Kwara Church Attack.

What began as a joyful Thanksgiving service at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, descended into terror on Tuesday evening when armed bandits stormed the church, killing three worshippers and abducting 35 others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The service, which commenced around 6:30 p.m., drew a large crowd of families, friends, and well-wishers who had gathered to celebrate the safe return of 18 residents earlier released after months in captivity. According to local accounts, special arrangements had been made to stream the event live for those unable to attend physically, but the broadcast was abruptly cut short as gunfire erupted outside.

Many congregants initially mistook the noise for festive knockouts, until four armed men wielding assault rifles forced their way into the sanctuary, firing indiscriminately. Panic immediately ensued as the attackers shot three worshippers dead and herded dozens of others into the surrounding forest. Witnesses revealed that the assailants appeared to have prior knowledge of the thanksgiving service and had positioned themselves around the church before launching the ambush—some reportedly hiding in nearby trees.

The church’s Resident Pastor, Lawrence Abiodun Bamidele, confirmed that the attack happened within minutes. He explained that some of the victims were shot by a gunman perched in a tree as they attempted to flee, emphasising that the tragedy occurred at the very moment the congregation was expressing gratitude for the release of earlier abductees.

Community representatives identified the deceased as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja, and one Deremi. A young girl also sustained a critical gunshot wound to the neck and was rushed to hospital.

Local leaders disclosed that bandits had made repeated attempts over the past month to infiltrate the town through the Eruku–Egbe and Eruku–Omu-Aran routes but had been consistently repelled by local hunters and vigilantes. They alleged that several appeals to both state and local authorities for reinforcement went unanswered, even as the threat escalated.

Spokespersons within the community, however, applauded the efforts of local police officers who had previously joined hunters in combing surrounding forests to dislodge criminal groups. They insisted that timely intervention from higher authorities might have prevented Tuesday’s tragedy, saying the attackers regrouped and returned stronger after earlier failed attempts.

Residents also raised concerns over what they described as a troubling pattern: the attack occurred shortly after some vigilante members were taken to Ilorin for training as Forest Guards—a situation they say mirrored a similar sequence of events preceding an attack in Oke-Ode months earlier. The community is calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch a thorough investigation.

For victims’ families, the trauma remains raw. One resident, Adesuyi Joshua, recounted how his wife and granddaughter were among those abducted. He expressed frustration over what he described as the security agencies’ slow and inadequate response, alleging that officers fired tear gas at residents who attempted to pursue the fleeing attackers.

Youth leaders echoed these concerns, accusing the local police division of negligence despite benefiting from community support, including housing provided for officers. They criticised the police for obstructing youths who were attempting to chase the bandits, insisting that a probe of the division is urgently needed. Some youths, armed with only a Dane gun and a single pump-action rifle, said they confronted the heavily armed attackers but were overpowered by superior firepower, including AK-49 rifles and machine guns.

Residents are now urging authorities to either strengthen security presence or legally empower the community to defend itself.