Deborah Akinyosoye
The Kwara State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed that suspected bandits killed at least two people and injured one during attacks in Eruku, a boundary town in the Ekiti Local Government Area.
A parish of the Christ Apostolic Church was one of the places the bandits attacked.
The police said a worshipper was killed during the attack while another victim’s corpse was found in the bush.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the development in a statement.
“The Kwara State Police Command confirms an attempted bandit attack in Eruku, which occurred at about 18:00 hours of today, 18th November, 2025.
“The DPO Eruku and his team of police operatives, in collaboration with vigilantes, swiftly responded to the sound of gunshots emanating from the outskirts of the town, prompting the hoodlums to flee into the bush,” the statement read.
The police statement added, “Police confirmed that a male victim, Mr. Aderemi, was fatally shot inside the church, while another, Mr. Tunde Asaba Ajayi, was found dead in the bush.
“A vigilante, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for treatment.
“CP Adekimi Ojo commended the swift response of the police and vigilantes. He also assures the public that security agencies will not relent until these hoodlums are totally decimated.”
It was earlier reported by NigeriaTodayTimes that first attack targeted a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church during a special service, where the gunmen reportedly opened fire on worshippers before abducting the pastor and an unspecified number of congregants.
The report quoted an eyewitness as saying that three worshippers were killed on the spot during the attack on the church.
The eyewitness said, “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 attackers later launched another assault along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, forcing travellers to abandon their vehicles and flee into nearby bushes.
One traveller, returning from Niger State, recounted in a voice note obtained by The Punch, “They came around 6:30pm and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken; they are still shooting, you can hear it.
Community leaders lamented that Eruku has faced repeated attacks over the past three weeks.
Mr. Benjamin Ayeoribe said, “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.”
Despite efforts from vigilantes, local hunters, and the police, the attackers continue to exploit the border region.
Kwara State has witnessed a disturbing rise in banditry, killings, and kidnappings for ransom in recent months, with communities along state borders bearing the brunt of the violence.