One of the 38 worshippers freed from bandit captivity after the Christ Apostolic Church attack in Eruku, Kwara State, has shared his painful experience in the hands of the criminals.
The victim, who spoke after being rescued, described the five days in captivity as terrifying and difficult. He explained that escaping from the bandits was nearly impossible because they were heavily armed and closely watched over the captives.
He said the bandits kept them in the forest under harsh conditions. The victims were tired, hungry, and afraid throughout their time in captivity. Some of them were too weak to walk properly when they were finally released.
The attack happened on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, during an evening thanksgiving service at the church. The bandits stormed the building with guns, shooting randomly and forcing 38 people into the nearby forest. Three worshippers were killed during the attack.
The church was holding a special service to thank God for the safe return of 18 members who had been kidnapped three weeks earlier. Sadly, the bandits struck again during this thanksgiving program.
The bandits initially demanded N3 billion ransom for all the victims but later reduced it to N760 million. They also contacted individual families, asking for N100 million per person.
After five days of intense security operations involving the police, army, and local vigilantes, all 38 victims were freed on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received them at the Government House clinic, where medical workers checked their health.
Most of the freed victims looked tired and worn out. They were given food, water, and medicine. Those who were very weak were taken into the hospital for proper treatment.
One of the church pastors thanked the federal and state governments for their efforts in securing the release of the worshippers. He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu, who cancelled his trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to personally coordinate the rescue efforts.
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