At least two people have been killed and another injured after suspected bandits launched coordinated attacks on Eruku, a border community in Kwara State’s Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA), on Tuesday evening.
A parish of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) was among the locations targeted in the assault, which began at about 6pm.
Worshippers were gathered for a service when gunmen stormed the church and opened fire, killing one man identified as Mr Aderemi.
Police later recovered the body of another victim, Mr Tunde Asaba Ajayi, in a nearby bush.
A vigilante member, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to ECWA Hospital in Eruku for treatment.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said officers from the Eruku Division, working alongside local vigilantes, immediately responded to gunshots heard on the outskirts of the town, prompting the attackers to flee.
"Kwara State Police Command confirms an attempted bandit attack in Eruku, which occurred at about 18:00 hours of today, 18th November, 2025.
"CP Adekimi Ojo commended the swift response of the police and vigilantes. He assures the public that security agencies will not relent until these hoodlums are totally decimated," said.
One resident who was inside the church during the attack told The PUNCH that three worshippers were killed instantly before the pastor and several congregants were abducted.
"The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting and three people died immediately. They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and marched them into the bush," the resident said.
Shortly after the church assault, the attackers were said to have ambushed motorists along the Ilorin–Kabba Road.
A traveller returning from Niger State said bandits opened fire around 6:30pm, forcing commuters to abandon their vehicles and run for safety.
"They came around 6:30pm and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken," he said in a voice note.
Community leaders say Eruku has suffered repeated attacks over the past three weeks, with little concrete government action.
One Mr Benjamin Ayeoribe, a resident, appealed for urgent federal intervention.
"We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day.
"We need federal help. These attacks are becoming too much for us to bear. We are pleading with the President to intervene urgently," he said.
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