The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State, that left worshippers dead and several others abducted during an evening prayer service on Tuesday.
In a statement released Thursday, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh described the assault as a “heartbreaking reminder” of the growing insecurity facing Christian communities across the nation.
He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families, the injured, the abducted, and the wider Eruku community.
“Their pain is our collective pain, and their trauma is one that no community of faith should ever be forced to endure,” Okoh said.
He urged swift action from security agencies to rescue the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
The association warned that the Eruku attack reflected a troubling pattern of repeated assaults on Christian populations in vulnerable regions, a concern CAN had consistently raised both domestically and internationally.
Okoh emphasised that despite repeated assurances from authorities, attacks on religious communities continued unabated, raising urgent national and global concerns.
CAN called for a transparent investigation to uncover how the attackers gained access to the church and why preventive measures failed.
The association also highlighted the immediate need for medical, emotional, and material support for affected families.
“This tragedy underscores the importance of safeguarding places of worship and developing a long-term, coordinated national security strategy to confront terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism,” Okoh said.
The church leaders also appealed for calm, urging religious and community figures to avoid reprisals and maintain focus on justice, healing, and lawful peace-building measures.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with authorities and partners to ensure the victims of the Eruku attack receive justice and that Christian communities across Nigeria are better protected,” the statement said.
