Our Corrrespondent
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly condemned Tuesday’s bandit attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, calling the incident a painful reminder of the worsening insecurity confronting Christian communities nationwide.
In a statement issued on Thursday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which left several worshippers dead and others abducted during an evening prayer service.
“Their Pain Is Our Collective Pain” — CAN President
Okoh described the assault as both heartbreaking and unacceptable, stressing that no community of faith should ever experience such terror.
“On behalf of the national leadership of CAN, I express sadness over the violent attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, where worshippers were killed and several others abducted during a prayer service,” he said.
He added: “This assault on peaceful citizens gathered for worship is a heartbreaking reminder of the growing insecurity facing Christian communities across the country.”
CAN pledged solidarity with the families of the slain and the abducted, saying the trauma of the Eruku community must not be ignored.
Calls for Swift Rescue and Transparent Investigation
The association urged security agencies to waste no time in rescuing the abducted worshippers and bringing the attackers to justice. It also demanded a credible investigation to uncover how the deadly breach occurred and identify security lapses.
“A transparent and credible investigation is essential to reveal how this attack happened, identify lapses in security, and restore public confidence,” Okoh stressed.
Earlier reports confirmed that at least three worshippers were initially feared dead after suspected bandits invaded the church, shooting sporadically before abducting several congregants. The Kwara State Police Command later confirmed that two bodies had been recovered.
Part of a Disturbing Pattern — CAN
Archbishop Okoh warned that the Eruku tragedy is not an isolated case. Rather, it fits a troubling pattern of repeated assaults on Christian communities—attacks which CAN has repeatedly raised with government officials and international partners.
“Although official responses have often dismissed fears of targeted violence, the frequency and intensity of these incidents continue to provoke legitimate national and global alarm,” he stated.
Urgent Need for National Security Reforms
The CAN President stressed the need for stronger protection of places of worship and broader strategic reforms to confront terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism.
He noted that achieving lasting peace requires collective responsibility, urging both religious and traditional leaders to discourage reprisals and maintain calm.
CAN Vows to Keep Pressing for Justice
“We will continue to monitor developments closely and engage with authorities and partners to ensure that the victims of the Eruku attack receive justice and that Christian communities across Nigeria are better protected,” Okoh said.
The attack on the Eruku congregation adds to a long list of violent incursions on rural Christian communities, especially in northern and central Nigeria. Such attacks—marked by killings, abductions, and mass displacement—have fueled growing demands for decisive government action and better intelligence-driven security operations.
As security agencies search for the abducted worshippers, communities across the country await assurances that places of worship can once again be safe. United States President Donald Trump had drawn global concern over what has been seen as calculated genocide of Christians in Nigeria, threatening to take military actions should the Nigerian Government fail to act.