There’s been unrest and uncertainty after terrorists attacked a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Eruku community of Kwara State on Tuesday, killing worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.
The attack happened during a service at the Oke Isegun branch in Eruku, a town close to the Kogi border.
A livestream of the service, seen by Dockaysworld, showed the moment worshippers suddenly came alert and fled to the back when gunfire erupted outside the church.
According to The PUNCH, the attackers shot some worshippers dead before forcing the pastor and others into the bush.
“The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately,” a witness told the newspaper. “They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and marched them into the bush.”
A community leader, Benjamin Ayeoribe, said Eruku has been under sustained bandit attacks for weeks and lamented the lack of meaningful government intervention.
“We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day,” he said.
The Kwara State Police Command later confirmed the attack in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
In the statement, the Divisional Police Officer of Eruku and his team expressed commitment stating that they were working with local vigilantes and had “swiftly responded to the sound of gunshots emanating from the outskirts of the town,” forcing the attackers to retreat into the bush.
The statement added: “Upon thorough search of the area, one male victim; Mr Aderemi was discovered fatally shot inside the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun; while one Mr Tunde Asaba Ajayi another victim of fatal gunshot was found in the bush, a vigilante, Segun Alaja sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for medical treatment.”
Ejire-Adeyemi also said the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, commended the joint response and assured residents that “security agencies will not relent until these hoodlums are totally decimated.” She added that further updates would follow as investigations continue.
This attack comes while victims are still clamoring for the return of 25 school girls kidnapped by terrorists in Kebbi state. Recall, Nigerian singer Spyro condemned national distractions amidst the unfortunate saga.
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