The tension in Eruku community in Kwara State has deepened as the armed bandits who invaded Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, and abducted 38 worshippers have reportedly demanded a staggering ₦100 million ransom per victim, placing families under immense emotional and financial pressure.
The attack, which happened during an evening service, has left the town in a state of fear, confusion, and desperate hope.
According to confirmed reports from community leaders, the attackers struck unexpectedly from the bush paths surrounding the town, disrupting the worship session and firing sporadically before whisking away the worshippers. Eyewitnesses say the scene was chaotic as people fled for safety while the heavily armed assailants overpowered local guards.
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A respected community figure and the Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, has confirmed the ransom demand. He disclosed that four of his relatives are among those kidnapped, and families are now receiving phone calls from the kidnappers who are issuing threats and insisting on immediate payment.
Chief Olukotun explained that the bandits contacted some families in groups, assigning each abducted person a ransom value of ₦100 million. He expressed deep worry that neither the community nor individual families have the resources to meet such outrageous demands, raising concerns about the safety of the victims.
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Meanwhile, residents say the heavily armed bandits seemed familiar with the terrain, moving with confidence and retreating easily into the thick bush after the operation. This has intensified fears that the attackers may have been monitoring the community for weeks before launching the assault.
Security operatives have since been mobilized to the area, with soldiers reportedly taking strategic positions around the community to prevent a repeat attack. Local vigilante groups have also been on high alert, but many complain that they remain poorly equipped compared to the firepower displayed by the intruders.
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that officers responded swiftly upon receiving distress calls, but the attackers had already fled into the forest with their captives. Police authorities say efforts are already underway to track the movement of the abductors and secure the release of the victims.
Eruku, a border town that has previously experienced pockets of insecurity, is now calling for urgent government intervention. Community members are demanding stronger military presence and better support for local vigilante groups, warning that the area could become a hotbed of violent activities if the situation is not addressed promptly.
Across Kwara State, the news of the ransom demand has sparked outrage, prayers, and fear among residents, many of whom are worried about the growing boldness of criminal groups targeting churches, schools, and rural communities. Human rights groups have also condemned the attack, describing it as yet another reminder of the worsening security challenges in parts of Nigeria.
As families await further communication from the abductors, the community continues to gather in small groups for prayers, hoping that swift action from authorities will bring the worshippers home safely. The situation remains tense, and the town of Eruku is on edge as the fate of the 38 abducted worshippers hangs in the balance.
