In a harrowing incident in central Nigeria, armed gunmen targeted a church service, leaving at least two people dead and abducting the pastor and several worshippers. The assault, which occurred in Eruku, Kwara State, sent the local community into panic as residents fled into the surrounding bush in fear. The attack comes amid rising insecurity and recent large-scale abductions in the country.
Assailants Strike During Worship
The raid took place during a church service in Eruku, where the assailants opened gunfire without warning. Police confirmed two fatalities and said the pastor and multiple members of the congregation were missing following the attack. Witnesses reported that the gunmen arrived swiftly and left footprints of chaos as worshippers scattered to save their lives.
Broader Context of Rising Violence
This church attack occurred just days after a mass kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, highlighting an alarming trend of abductions and attacks on places of worship in Nigeria. The wave of violence has put added pressure on the federal government to bolster security, especially in states where farming-herder conflicts and insurgent activity are rampant.
State and Federal Response
In the wake of the attack, the governor of Kwara State called for additional security deployments to protect vulnerable communities. Officials have stressed the need for urgent action to ensure places of worship are better safeguarded. Meanwhile, federal agencies face growing scrutiny over Nigeria’s capacity to protect religious centres and reduce kidnappings.
