In a horrific incident, armed bandits attacked a church in Eruku, Kwara State, on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and the abduction of at least ten worshippers during a service.
According to Olasukanmi Ayeni, the spokesperson for the Eruku Community, the shooting occurred inside the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, around 6 PM. The victims have been identified as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja, and another individual known as Deremi. Ayeni reported that another woman sustained a severe gunshot wound to her neck and is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.
“The attack took place inside the church, and while we believe around ten people were abducted, the actual number could be higher. The three deceased remain in the church at this moment,” Ayeni stated.
Residents noted that the bandits had attempted to infiltrate the community over the past month, particularly via the Eruku/Egbe and Eruku/Omuaran routes, but they were previously unsuccessful. This changed on Tuesday, when the attackers were able to enter the town.
Ayeni expressed frustration over the lack of response from local and state authorities during previous attempts by the bandits to breach the community. He criticized Wale Awelewa, the chairman of the Ekiti Local Government, for not addressing the community’s pleas for help and failure to visit after the attack.
“The local government chairman has not made any visit to our community; it’s that bad,” Ayeni remarked. He credited local police forces for their efforts in collaborating with vigilantes to drive bandits out of nearby areas prior to this incident.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement, noting that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his team responded quickly to the sounds of gunfire. They managed to drive the assailants into the bush, where they discovered one victim fatally shot inside the church and another in the surrounding area.
Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo commended the efforts of law enforcement and local vigilantes, assuring the community that security agencies will continue to pursue the bandits until they are eliminated.
