A violent raid on a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Oke Isegun area of Eruku, a community bordering Kogi State in Ekiti LGA of Kwara, disrupted a Tuesday evening service and left several worshippers missing.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident, which occurred around 6pm, was captured on a live-streamed video showing congregants praying before sudden gunfire erupted outside the church.
The footage shows the young pastor leading the service as panic broke out and worshippers ran for safety. Moments later, armed men entered the church, searching through the building and taking personal items belonging to the congregation. Witnesses said more than five attackers carried out the assault.
Three worshippers were killed, while the pastor and an unspecified number of members were taken away by the assailants.
Commenting on the incident, community leader, Benjamin Ayeoribe, confirmed that Eruku has suffered repeated attacks over the past three weeks. He added that distress calls to authorities have not brought meaningful action.
However, the Kwara State Police Command provided a different initial account, noting injuries but not confirming the number of those killed or abducted.
Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said officers and vigilantes intervened during an attempted bandit attack in Eruku, causing the gunmen to flee into the forest.
She reported that 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 added that the state police commissioner, Adekimi Ojo, praised the swift response of the police and vigilantes and assured residents that security operations would continue until the attackers are eliminated.
The incident adds to a series of recent security breaches in the region and comes shortly after heavily armed attackers invaded Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State and took 25 students away.
The fresh assault has further heightened concerns over the growing reach of bandit groups across several northern communities.
