Key Points

• CAN calls for urgent rescue after Kwara church attack.

• Violence highlights widening gaps in community protection.

• Christian communities demand stronger national security action.

The Christian Association of Nigeria has spoken out against the attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, saying it is another sign of how deeply insecurity has become a part of everyday life in Nigeria.

At least one worshipper died and several others were taken during the attack, which happened during a prayer service on Tuesday night. This has led to more calls for better protection of vulnerable communities.

Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the president of CAN, said that the group is grieving with the victims’ families and urged security forces to act quickly to free those who are still being held.

He also called for a clear and trustworthy investigation into what happened, saying that questions about how the attackers got into the community must be answered.

CAN asks for help right away

Okoh’s appeal has made it even more important for the authorities to bring back the kidnapped worshippers alive. At first, the police said there were multiple deaths, but later they confirmed one death and found another body in the nearby bush.

Gunmen broke into the church and shot people at random before taking them into the woods. Several worshippers are still missing.

The president of CAN said that the tragedy was not a one-time event, but part of a worrying trend of attacks on Christian communities in rural areas that are easy targets. He said that even though the association has been warning the government about this for a long time, they often downplay or ignore the fears of residents who have been attacked violently many times.

Attack shows that security gaps are getting bigger

Okoh says that the Eruku incident is a clear example of how national and state-level security systems are becoming less effective. He said that Nigeria needs to quickly come up with a new plan for keeping places of worship and isolated settlements safe because banditry, terrorism, and violence in rural areas are spreading to many areas.

He went on to say that communities shouldn’t have to fend for themselves or live in fear of armed attacks all the time. He said that the attack shows how important it is to improve intelligence gathering, community policing structures, and quick response systems that can stop similar tragedies from happening.

The need for urgent rescue grows stronger

CAN also asked religious and traditional leaders to help keep the peace, stop people from taking revenge, and keep the public focused on legal ways to get justice.

The group stressed that building peace, holding people accountable, and healing the community are still the most important things to do to stop things from getting worse.

Okoh said that CAN will keep an eye on things and work with security agencies to make sure that the kidnapped worshippers are freed and that Christian communities across the country get the protection they need right away.