Kwara Church Attack: Bandits Lay Ambush in Tree Tops During Thanksgiving Service

The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State was thrown into chaos on Tuesday evening when armed bandits stormed a thanksgiving service and abducted 35 worshippers after killing three others.

The church had been filled with members, relatives, and well-wishers who gathered around 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the safe return of 18 community members earlier kidnapped by the same gang months prior. The service, which was being streamed live on Facebook for those unable to attend, was abruptly halted when sporadic gunfire erupted outside the premises.

Eyewitnesses told Saturday Vanguard that many congregants initially mistook the gunshots for Christmas fireworks until four gunmen wielding AK-47 rifles forced their way inside, firing indiscriminately. In a cruel twist, those celebrating the release of former abductees became victims themselves.

Investigations revealed that the attackers had allegedly climbed trees surrounding the church and lain in wait for hours before striking. “They surrounded the church and were shooting from everywhere,” said the Resident Pastor, Lawrence Abiodun Bamidele. “Three people died instantly and 35 members were taken into the forest.”

Community spokesperson, Olasukanmi Ayeni, identified the deceased as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja, and Deremi, adding that a young girl with a gunshot wound was in critical condition. He said the bandits had made several failed attempts to infiltrate the community in the past four weeks but were repelled by local hunters and vigilantes.

Ayeni, however, expressed frustration that repeated SOS calls to state and local authorities went unanswered. He commended the local police for supporting vigilantes in previous operations but insisted that a timely response might have prevented Tuesday’s tragedy.