The Kwara State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed that suspected bandits killed at least two people and injured one in attacks on Eruku, a boundary town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
One of the targets was a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church, where the assailants stormed a service. According to the police, a worshipper died during the attack, while another victim’s body was later recovered in the bush.
In a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said: “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 police 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.”
Earlier reports indicated that the initial attack targeted the Christ Apostolic Church during a special service. Gunmen allegedly opened fire on worshippers before abducting the pastor and an unspecified number of congregants. An eyewitness was quoted as saying three worshippers were killed instantly.
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 subsequently struck again along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, forcing travellers to abandon their vehicles and run into surrounding bushes. A 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 said Eruku has suffered repeated attacks over the past three weeks.
Mr. Benjamin Ayeoribe lamented, “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 combined efforts from vigilantes, local hunters, and police operatives, the attackers continue to exploit the vulnerable border region. Kwara State has recorded a troubling escalation in banditry, killings, and kidnappings for ransom in recent months, with border communities especially affected.