Tension has intensified in Eruku, a community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State in Nigeria, as families scrambled for information following Tuesday’s violent abduction inside Christ Apostolic Church.
More than thirty worshippers were seized during the evening service, and the attackers have now begun contacting relatives to demand a staggering N100 million for each person held.
The assault left three individuals dead before the gunmen emptied valuables from the church and forced dozens of residents into the nearby bush. As fear rippled through the town, distressed families started receiving calls from the kidnappers, who reportedly arranged the hostages into separate groups based on family ties in order to streamline their demands.
Among those affected is a prominent community figure, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, who disclosed that four members of his household were taken during the raid. He managed to escape the gunmen’s assault after fleeing through a window with one young relative, while the others were captured.
Although some residents have already been contacted regarding the ransom, others are still waiting anxiously for information about their loved ones as the gunmen continue to place calls from the kidnap camp.
The attack has reignited long-standing concerns over Eruku’s security vulnerabilities, particularly due to its proximity to the Kogi border—a route frequently exploited by criminal groups. Community leaders are urging government authorities to strengthen local security operations and equip the vigilante team with modern tools capable of countering heavily armed attackers.
The community remains on edge as the search for the abducted worshippers continues.
