Just days after armed bandits stormed the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, the traumatised congregation gathered on Sunday for a solemn service right inside the blood-stained auditorium where the attack took place.
The service was held to pray for the safe return of members kidnapped during Tuesday’s horrific incident and to honour those who lost their lives.
Church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, told PUNCH Online that the church has now confirmed 38 abducted persons, revising the earlier figure of 35 after discovering that three non-members were also taken away.
He dismissed social media claims that over 60 people were kidnapped.
“The rumour of 60 abducted people is false. We have a verified list of 38 victims. Three people were killed, and one person is currently receiving treatment in the hospital,” Agbabiaka said.
He added that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦100 million ransom per victim but later reduced it to ₦20 million before going silent on Friday.
Despite the fear that still grips the community, a handful of worshippers attended Sunday’s service, encouraged by the church leadership.
“It has not been easy, but God gave us courage,” Agbabiaka said, praising authorities for deploying security operatives across the town and around the church premises.
During the service, the presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the attack as a trial of faith. He assured the congregation that God had revealed to him that the abducted members would return alive.
“All our kidnapped members will regain their freedom very soon. They will not die in captivity,” he declared.
He also interpreted the rising insecurity in Nigeria as part of biblical end-time events but encouraged worshippers to remain steadfast.
One of the church members, James Ige, whose wife and son were abducted, pleaded with the government to intensify rescue efforts.
“I beg the government and security agencies to do everything possible to bring my family back safely,” he said with emotion.
A combined team of soldiers, SWAT, Special Tactical Squad, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and local vigilantes were observed patrolling Eruku on Sunday.
The deployment follows President Bola Tinubu’s order for a coordinated operation to track down the attackers and rescue the victims.
The attack adds to the growing wave of abductions affecting border communities in Ekiti and Kaima LGAs. Residents fear that bandit networks operating around Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States may be expanding their reach now targeting even places of worship.
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