Low Turnout, Tight Security As Kwara Church Hold Sunday Service

Despite fear and grief, Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State hold special Sunday service for inside dia blood-splattered auditorium, as dem dey pray for safe return of kidnapped members and repose of those wey die during Tuesday brutal bandit attack. The church on Sunday confirm say 38 worshippers don get abducted, against earlier social media claims. Church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, talk say church first compile 35 names, but after verification, three non-members dey among abductees, bringing total to 38. E also clarify say rumour wey talk over 60 people don get kidnapped no true, while three don die and one dey hospital for treatment. Kidnappers wey first demand N100m per victim later reduce am to N20m each before cutting communication on Friday. Even though fear still dey town, church encourage members to attend Sunday service to strengthen faith. Pastor Bamidele Lawrence call di attack test of faith, quoting 2 Peter 3:10, and assure say all kidnapped members go regain freedom soon.

One affected worshipper, James Ige, wey wife and pikin dey among abducted, beg authorities make dem intensify rescue efforts. Heavy security presence dey Eruku Sunday, including soldiers, Special Tactical Squad, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Kwara Police Command and local vigilantes. Di deployment follow directive of President Bola Tinubu, wey order joint operation to track attackers and rescue victims. Kwara don dey witness spike in bandit attacks, especially border communities for Ekiti and Kaima LGAs. Eruku church attack na part of growing list of kidnappings targeting residents, travellers and worshippers, heightening fear about expanding criminal networks across Kwara, Kogi and Niger States.