Gunmen who stormed a church in Kwara State, Nigeria, are demanding a ransom of 100 million naira for each of the dozens of worshippers they seized, according to church and community leaders. The attack late Tuesday killed multiple congregants and deepened a national security crisis.
The assault targeted the Christ Apostolic Church in the town of Eruku. Armed men invaded the service, opening fire and causing panic. Between 30 and 38 worshippers were forcibly taken into nearby forests .
The kidnappers have started calling the families of the victims. They are using the victims' own phones to make the demands . The total ransom being asked could reach 3.8 billion naira, a sum that is far beyond the means of most rural families .
Church officials confirmed the grim development. The secretary of the local CAC assembly, Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, stated that the bandits have grouped the victims. He said the first group of 11 people was asked to pay 100 million naira each .
One community leader, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, was inside the church during the attack. He escaped with one family member through a window, but four of his relatives were taken. He said the kidnappers are contacting the community systematically, grouping victims by their families .
The Kwara State police have not officially confirmed the ransom demand. Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said the command was not aware of any contact with families. She added that tactical teams, alongside the military, are working to rescue those abducted .
The attack unfolded on the evening of November 18. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the armed men, referred to by authorities as bandits, climbed the church fence and began shooting .
Some reports indicate the attackers used tear gas, which slowed the response from security forces . Survivors recalled seeing around 100 bullet casings on the church floor after the violence .
The pastor of the church, Lawrence Bamidele, reported that between 30 and 35 people were abducted . The exact number remains unconfirmed as families continue to search for missing relatives .
This incident is part of a wave of violence hitting Nigeria. It was the third major attack reported in three days . Just one day earlier, two other violent events occurred. One was an attack on the community of Kushe Gugdu, and another involved the kidnapping of a priest from the Kaduna archdiocese .
The attack has drawn strong criticism from human rights organizations and religious bodies. Amnesty International condemned the violence. The group said it is a sign of Nigeria's worsening security situation .
The rights organization said the attack shows that many Nigerians live in constant fear. They feel they have no protection from the state .
The Christian Association of Nigeria also condemned the attack. CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh called it a heartbreaking reminder of the growing insecurity facing Christian communities. He urged security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the abducted worshippers .
The violence prompted a response from the federal government. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu postponed a planned trip to South Africa and Angola. He decided to stay and monitor the security situation .
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq praised the president for sending 900 additional troops to the state . The Owa of Eruku, the traditional ruler of the town, also acknowledged the military deployment. He said it gave the community some assurance, but he pleaded for more to be done to rescue the victims quickly .
The attack in Kwara highlights the expanding reach of armed groups in Nigeria. Kwara has historically been considered one of the safer states in the North-Central region. The recent incidents have raised fears that the violence is spreading .
The area where the attack occurred is a transit corridor between northern and southern Nigeria. It has dense forests and limited police presence. This makes it a known focus for militias and criminals .
Analysts note that attacks often increase toward the end of the year. This is when communities are completing their harvests. The disruptions add to ongoing economic challenges .
In the wake of the attack, tensions have surfaced within the local community. Some residents and local vigilante members have accused the chairman of the Ekiti Local Government Area of negligence. They claim he has provided weak support for local security operations .
The council chairman's office denied these claims. It listed several interventions, including refurbishing a police vehicle and supplying ammunition to vigilantes .
As the search for the victims continues, families are left in a painful wait. They hope for the safe return of their loved ones. The situation in Eruku remains unstable as the community braces for what may happen next .