The community of Eruku breathed a sigh of relief as the 38 worshippers kidnapped from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, were reunited with their families after two traumatic weeks. Their return under heavy security and medical supervision sparked widespread joy.
The abduction and initial rescue
On November 18, 2025, during a special thanksgiving service at the CAC church in Eruku — an agrarian community in Ekiti Local Government Area — gunmen stormed the service. The attack left at least three worshippers dead and another wounded, and 38 attendees were seized and taken into the bush.
The abduction triggered alarm across the state and beyond, adding to growing concerns over bandit activities targeting vulnerable populations, including religious gatherings.
According to the church secretary, initial records listed 35 victims — but after verification, three more non-members who had also been kidnapped were added, bringing the total to 38.
In the aftermath of the attack, the church held a special service inside the blood-stained auditorium, calling on congregants and the wider community to pray for the safe return of those taken. Security operatives — including members of the police, local vigilante groups, SWAT, and anti-kidnapping units — were deployed across Eruku in what became a tense stand-off until the captives were freed.
The path to freedom
On November 23, the government formally announced that the 38 abducted worshippers had regained their freedom. The announcement came from AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor of Kwara State, through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary.
According to the release, their freedom was secured through coordinated efforts by federal and state security agencies — including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military — under real-time tracking and negotiation. Security sources explained that no raid was used to avoid risking the captives’ lives; instead, pressure tactics and controlled communication forced the bandits’ compliance.
After being freed, the victims were taken to the Government House Clinic in Ilorin, where they received immediate medical treatment and psychological care to help them recover from trauma.
Reunion and community relief
Late Tuesday evening, the worshippers arrived back in Eruku around 6:30 pm to a joyous reception from relatives and community members. Residents trooped out to welcome them, visibly emotional and relieved that their loved ones had returned alive.
During a formal handover in Ilorin, the freed abductees were handed to the chairman of Ekiti LGA, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, marking the official end of the rescue operation. In his remarks, he thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, the national security apparatus and all participating agencies, for their swift and decisive action. He also assured residents that security would be strengthened across all 10 wards of the LGA.
The traditional leader of Eruku, known as the Owa of Eruku, described the reunion as a long-awaited relief for a community traumatized by the attack. He praised the rescue effort and called on stakeholders to maintain vigilance to prevent future incidents.
Broader context and ongoing concerns
While the safe return of the 38 worshippers brings hope, the incident underscores the dire and persistent insecurity plaguing border and rural communities in Kwara State — especially around Ekiti LGA, which has witnessed multiple kidnappings in recent years.
Residents say the abduction has left deep scars: beyond the loss of lives and trauma for victims and families, there is heightened fear in local communities — a fear that many believe security agents must work harder to dispel. The church attack has stirred national outrage and renewed calls for robust strategies to confront banditry, protect vulnerable populations, and secure rural areas.
For the families of the freed worshippers, the reunion offers a fragile moment of solace and recovery — but many warn that unless systemic changes are made to tackle insecurity, such moments may remain fleeting.
