Key Points

• Bandits storm the church and take several worshippers.
• Police and vigilantes respond quickly and force the attackers to flee.
• Residents accuse officials of ignoring repeated warnings.

Three people were killed and at least ten worshippers were taken when bandits stormed a church in Eruku during an evening service on Tuesday.

The attack happened at Christ Apostolic Church Oke Isegun on Okeado Street and left the community in shock.

Olasukanmi Ayeni, who speaks for the community, said the gunmen walked straight into the church around 6 p.m. and opened fire.

He identified the dead as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja and a man known as Deremi. A young girl with a gunshot wound to her neck is being treated at a hospital.

Ayeni said several worshippers were taken from inside the church. Families are still counting the missing, so the number could rise. He added that the three bodies were still in the church late Tuesday.

A Community Under Pressure

Ayeni explained that bandits had been trying to enter the town for weeks through the Eruku Egbe and Eruku Omuaran roads.

Local hunters and vigilantes pushed them back each time. That changed on Tuesday when the attackers forced their way in.

He said residents made repeated calls for help to both the state and local governments but got no response.

He was upset that Ekiti local government chairman Wale Awelewa had not visited the town by Wednesday morning.

Ayeni, however, praised the local police officers who have been working with hunters to track the bandits in nearby forests. He said their support has helped prevent even worse attacks.

Police Give Their Account

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement from spokesperson Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi.

Officers and vigilantes rushed to the outskirts of the town after hearing gunshots. Their arrival caused the attackers to flee into the bush.

During the search, officers found the body of Aderemi inside the church. They also found Tunde Asaba Ajayi in the bush with fatal injuries.

A vigilante, Segun Alaja, was taken to ECWA Hospital in Eruku after suffering gunshot wounds.

Push for Stronger Security

Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo praised the quick reaction by officers and vigilantes. He promised that security agencies will keep working in the area until the armed groups are cleared from the surrounding forests.

People in Eruku remain on edge as they wait for updates on those taken from the church. The exact number of abducted worshippers is still unclear.