Given the suddenness and brutality of the attack on your church, can you walk us through the immediate reactions of the congregation and how the church leadership managed the chaos in those first critical moments?

We were just offering praises to God on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. As we were giving praises to God during the programme which was a week-long event, at exactly 6:00 p.m., we suddenly saw the bandits behind the church fence. They rushed into the church premises, started shooting, and went ahead to abduct our members.

On that day, they killed three people, including the church security guard who was patrolling the premises. They kidnapped about 41 people initially, but later released three members whom they felt they could not cope with, possibly because of their old age or physical condition. Thirty-eight members were eventually taken into the bush.

Before this recent attack on the church premises, had your congregation ever experienced anything similar?

No, we had not experienced such an attack within the church premises. However, on September 18, 2025, eighteen of our members were kidnapped by bandits while traveling from a wedding in Ajase-Ipo. The kidnappers attacked their vehicle after Osi, before they reached Obbo, and abducted 22 people, 18 of whom were members of our church. Through prayer and God’s mercy, all 18 were rescued unharmed. The last person among them was released just a week before the latest attack.

Can you share how the church responded spiritually to the previous kidnapping and the significance of the thanksgiving service?

In fact, immediately after the kidnapping of the members who were traveling ( 18), the church began praying fervently for the safe return of our members. In God’s infinite mercy, all 17 of them were initially rescued unharmed. The last of the 18 kidnapped members was released just a week before the recent attack, after a ransom of N2 million was paid to the bandits. That is why we began a special thanksgiving service on Monday, praising God for their safe return, right before the recent attack occurred. While we have faced such attacks before, this is the first time it happened within the church premises. We had just started praising God when the recent attack occurred. While we have faced attacks before, this was the first time it happened within the church premises.

This means that the church paid ransom for the initial 18 members since you said the last victim was released after the payment of N2 million. Did the church pay any ransom for the release of the 38 victims?

No, the church did not pay any ransom for the release of the 38 victims. We are not aware of any ransom being paid by the victims themselves. The arrangements for their release were handled entirely by the government, who contacted us from Ilorin to inform us that our members had been safely released.”

Have you started your normal church services?

Yes, we did the Sunday service last Sunday because the President of CAC authorised and directed us to do the service. He said that we must not cancel the service so that we will encourage the rest members during this challenging time. We understand that it’s a difficult period, but our faith must be strengthened because God will not fail His children.

Have you officially received the rescued members and what is their state like?

No, they are still in Ilorin, but we have been in touch with them and are monitoring their condition closely.

You said you are in touch with the rescued members. What is their health status from what you hear from Ilorin?

Yes, we are in touch with them.

Some of our members were sent to Ilorin to visit the rescued victims, and from the information we gathered, they are being well taken care of by the state government. Physically, they are stable, and emotionally, they are receiving support to help them recover from the trauma of the abduction.

How is the Church preparing to welcome and care for the rescued members once they return home?

By God’s grace, we have been planning to assist the rescued members. We intend to support them with the little resources we have, providing for their immediate needs and ensuring they are cared for as they reintegrate back into the community.

Do you have any requests from the government?

Our foremost request is for heightened security in Eruku. The area has unfortunately become a hideout for the bandits, who take advantage of the surrounding forests to launch attacks. We shared our concerns with the governor during his visit, and we are beginning to see positive actions from his administration.

In addition, we seek financial assistance for the families of those who lost their lives, to cover funeral and related expenses. The survivors of the attack, some still receiving treatment at local hospitals, we also require support, including the four elderly women who were left behind during the abduction. Any assistance provided will help the Church ensure the wellbeing and recovery of all those affected.

In light of these recent attacks, what message of hope and resilience would you like to share with the community, particularly those who feel fearful or uncertain about staying in the area?

My message to them is that in the face of these recent attacks, I want to encourage our people to place their full trust in God. We should draw closer to Him through prayer and worship, seeking His guidance and protection. It is important that no one abandons the community out of fear. While some may be tempted to relocate, standing firm, supporting one another, and remaining faithful will help us overcome these challenges together. Our resilience comes from our faith, and God will not fail His children.