The Christ Apostolic Church, CAC Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, held a solemn service on Sunday inside its blood-stained auditorium, praying for the safe return of kidnapped members and for the souls of those killed during Tuesday’s brutal bandit attack.
The church officially confirmed that 38 worshippers were abducted, clearing earlier confusion from social media.
According to the church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, the church initially recorded 35 missing members, but after further checks, they discovered that three non-members were also taken, bringing the total to 38.
He explained that rumours claiming over 60 victims were false, adding, “We don’t want misinformation. We have 38 people in the bush. Three were killed, and one person is currently in the hospital.”
Agbabiaka also revealed that the kidnappers first demanded ₦100 million per victim, but later reduced the ransom to ₦20 million each before communication with them stopped on Friday.
Despite the tension in the town, the church encouraged members to attend Sunday service to strengthen their faith. Only a few people showed up, but the church leadership said God had given them courage to gather. Security operatives were also stationed around the community and within the church premises.
During the service, the presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the attack as a test of faith. Quoting 2 Peter 3:10, he told worshippers not to lose hope and said he had received divine assurances that all kidnapped members would return safely.
“We will see a miracle,” he said. “Our children, mothers and wives will come out strong. They will not die in captivity.”
He added that Nigeria’s rising insecurity would attract divine intervention and urged the congregation not to fear, saying current events reflected biblical end-time prophecies.
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One of the affected worshippers, James Ige, whose wife and son were abducted, pleaded with authorities to intensify rescue efforts. He said he was desperately waiting for their safe return.
Security presence in Eruku was visibly heavy on Sunday, with soldiers, a Special Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters, SWAT operatives, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara State Police Command and local vigilantes patrolling the town.
This deployment followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a joint operation to track the attackers and rescue the victims.
Kwara State has recently suffered repeated bandit activities, especially in border communities in Ekiti and Kaima LGAs. The Eruku church attack has deepened fears as kidnappings increasingly target residents, travellers and now worshippers across Kwara, Kogi and Niger States.
