In response to a violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has dispatched a specialised team from the Force Intelligence Directorate to investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.
The intelligence officers arrived in Eruku on Tuesday afternoon, with a mandate to gather actionable information and provide strategic support to ongoing police operations.
The team, led by senior intelligence officer Ibo Sam, toured the affected areas under the guidance of Pastor Abiodun Bamidele, the CAC local leader.
During the visit, they examined the church building, still scarred with bullet holes, and interviewed victims of the attack. According to the team leader, the IGP has issued strict instructions to “fish out the perpetrators” and bring them to justice.
Tragically, the security situation in the region deteriorated further as bandits launched another raid in the nearby Isapa community within the same local government area.
More than 20 armed assailants stormed the village on Monday, carrying a large herd of cattle, shooting indiscriminately, and abducting 11 residents. An elderly woman was reportedly hit by stray gunfire during the attack.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that seven members of the same family were among the abducted.
The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several children, identified as Talatu Kabiru (20), Magaji (6), Kande (5), Hadiza (10), Mariam (6), Saima (5), Habibat (housewife), Fatima Yusufu (pregnant), Sarah Sunday (22), Lami Fidelis (23, nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah (nursing mother).
Residents described a scene of terror as the gunmen moved through the community, leaving walls and doors riddled with bullet holes.
Authorities later recovered spent AK-47 shells at the scene. This incident occurred just a week after the attack on the CAC church in Eruku, which left three worshippers dead and 38 others abducted.
According to reports, the gunmen had targeted the congregation during a meeting, opening fire before fleeing through surrounding bush paths.
The Kwara State Government announced the safe release of all 38 worshippers kidnapped during the church attack.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, through his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, credited President Bola Tinubu’s direct involvement for the successful rescue, though details of the operation were not disclosed.
Security agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police were praised for their efforts.
Local sources indicated that the gunmen initially demanded a ransom of N3 billion, later reducing it to N760 million.
In response to the attacks, youths in Eruku staged protests on the Ilorin–Kabba highway, accusing security forces of delayed response during the hour-long assault.
Following the spate of violent incidents, President Tinubu postponed official trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, to receive security briefings on the abductions in Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states.
He has also instructed the police to pursue the attackers rigorously.
Despite the trauma, the Christ Apostolic Church resumed services on Sunday.
The Church Secretary Michael Agbabiaka stated that leaders encouraged members to return for worship despite lingering fears.
In his sermon, Pastor Bamidele Lawrence described the ordeal as a test of faith, drawing parallels to biblical trials and highlighting the safe return of the abducted worshippers as a sign of divine protection.
