Eruku CAC Church Holds First Service After Attack; 38 Worshippers Confirmed Kidnapped

The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, has held its first Sunday service following last Tuesday’s deadly attack in which bandits killed three people, abducted 38 worshippers and injured several others.

The service, conducted inside the blood-stained auditorium where the attack took place, was held under heavy security protection. Security operatives, including soldiers, the Special Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara State Police Command, and local vigilantes, were deployed across Eruku on the directive of President Bola Tinubu to intensify the search for the attackers and rescue the victims.

Prayers dominated the service, with worshippers seeking the safe return of those abducted and comfort for the families of the deceased.

Church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, revealed during the service that the kidnappers had reduced their ransom demand from ₦100 million per person to ₦20 million. He also confirmed that 38 people were abducted, dismissing social media reports that suggested over 60 victims.

According to him, the church initially recorded 35 missing members but later identified three additional non-members who were also taken during the attack.

“Rumours that over 60 people were abducted are not true,” Agbabiaka told Sobi FM. “We have 38 people still in the bush. Three people died, and one person is in the hospital. I have the names and phone numbers. We don’t want misinformation.”

He added that although negotiations had reduced the ransom, communication with the abductors broke off on Friday.

Despite the fear and trauma among congregants, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as a show of faith and resilience.

“As you can see, only a few people are present, but we thank God for life. We also appreciate the government for deploying security operatives who are patrolling the town,” Agbabiaka said.

In his sermon, the officiating pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the attack as a test of faith. He told the congregation that God had assured him that all kidnapped worshippers would return alive, comparing their ordeal to the trials faced by the Israelites in the Bible.