Gunmen who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State on Tuesday have reportedly abducted at least 30 worshippers and are demanding ₦100 million per person in ransom.
The attack, which occurred during a church service, also left three worshippers dead, according to community sources. Chief Olusegun Olukotun, Olori Eta of Eruku, who lost four relatives in the incident, said some of the abducted individuals’ families have been contacted by the kidnappers. Olukotun himself escaped with one ward through a church window around 6:06 p.m.
“From what we gathered, the kidnappers have grouped the victims by family and are contacting relatives,” Olukotun said. “Some community members have received calls demanding ₦100 million per person, but I have not been contacted yet regarding my family members.”
The pastor of the church, Abiodun Bamidele, confirmed that around 35 people were taken. He noted that the attack occurred during a Thanksgiving service for 18 members previously kidnapped and since rescued.
In response to the incident, youths of Eruku blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway in protest, citing the absence of security response during the attack, which lasted nearly an hour. Peter Adesiyan, a youth leader, criticised the police for failing to act despite community support for local facilities.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for an urgent security deployment to the area to curb the recent surge in attacks affecting border communities in Kwara State.
