Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has called for urgent strengthening of security in the Ekiti Local Government Area, especially around the Eruku community, following a series of violent attacks reported on Tuesday.
The governor made the appeal through a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, urging the authorities to deploy additional personnel to reinforce the existing security setup.
According to the statement, “The Governor has sought immediate deployment of more security operatives to support the existing security architecture in the area. He requested that this new measure be activated immediately.”
AbdulRazaq condemned what he described as a “senseless” assault and expressed condolences to the residents of Eruku and neighbouring communities, particularly members of the Christ Apostolic Church who lost loved ones or were directly affected.
He reassured residents that his administration would continue to support security agencies in the fight to protect lives and property statewide. The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for sending 900 more troops to Kwara to bolster ongoing security operations.
PUNCH Online reported that suspected bandits launched two coordinated evening attacks on Tuesday in the border town. In the first incident, armed men invaded the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku during a special service, firing indiscriminately at worshippers. Three people were reportedly killed instantly, while the pastor and several congregants were taken away into the bush. Though the exact number of abductees is not yet confirmed, locals said the attackers escaped through forest routes leading into Kogi State.
On the same evening, another group of gunmen was said to have ambushed motorists and residents along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, forcing many to flee into nearby bushes.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack. Police spokesperson, Adetohun Ejire-Adeyemi, described the incident as an “attempted bandit attack” that occurred around 6 p.m. in Eruku. She explained that the Divisional Police Officer, supported by his team and local vigilantes, responded swiftly, which forced the attackers to retreat.
The police confirmed two deaths from the incident. “A male victim, Mr Aderemi, was fatally shot inside the church, while another victim, Mr Tunde Asaba Ajayi, was found dead in the bush. A vigilante, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for treatment,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. One eyewitness said, “The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately. They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and marched them into the bush.”
A traveller, who narrowly escaped, said in a voice note obtained by PUNCH, “We suddenly ran into them. Everybody abandoned their cars and scattered into the bush. They came around 6:30 p.m. and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken. They are still shooting—you can hear it.”
A community leader, Mr Benjamin Ayeoribe, lamented that Eruku had suffered “perpetual attacks for the last three weeks,” saying repeated appeals for intervention had not yielded meaningful results. “We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day,” he said.
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