ERUKU – The quiet of an evening prayer session was shattered by gunfire this week as suspected bandits stormed a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Eruku community of the Ekiti Local Government Area. The brutal assault left the presiding pastor dead and an unconfirmed number of worshippers missing, marking a terrifying escalation of insecurity in the border region between Kwara and Kogi states.

The attack occurred during a special evening programme as congregants gathered for worship. Witnesses describe a scene of pure "chaos" as heavily armed men emerged from the surrounding bushes, firing sporadically into the air and at the building to prevent any escape.

According to survivors, the gunmen moved with clinical speed. The pastor, who was leading the service, was reportedly singled out and killed instantly during the initial volleys of gunfire. As panic took hold, many worshippers scrambled for safety, fleeing into the dense vegetation surrounding the church, while others were rounded up at gunpoint.

Local security sources confirmed that the attackers forced several members of the congregation—including women and children—into the forest. The exact number of those abducted remains unclear as families continues to account for missing relatives.

The Kwara State Police Command, alongside local vigilante groups, launched a search-and-rescue operation shortly after the alarm was raised.

Following the attack, local vigilantes engaged the gunmen in a brief shootout, but the assailants used their superior knowledge of forest paths to retreat with their captives. In addition to the slain pastor, several worshippers sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Security agencies have since cordoned off the area, utilizing intelligence to track the bandits' movement toward the Kogi State axis.

Residents of Eruku and neighboring Ekiti communities have expressed mounting frustration over the recurring raids. Many lament that the "bush routes" connecting Kwara, Ekiti, and Kogi states have become thoroughfares for kidnappers and armed groups.

"We are no longer safe even in the house of God," said one resident. "This was a peaceful evening service. Now, a family is without a father, and a community is without its shepherd."

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condemned the "barbaric" attack, describing it as a direct affront to the peace and security of the state. He has called for the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to the border communities and assured the families of the victims that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring the safe return of the abducted worshippers.

As of Tuesday morning, April 28, the community remains in a state of mourning, with shops closed and many residents staying indoors, waiting for news from the forest.