Barely a week after 38 abducted members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, were freed and taken to Ilorin for medical care, bandits have launched another attack on the Kwara community, abducting a farmer identified as Annas Aasanru.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday, sparking renewed fear in a community still reeling from the trauma of repeated attacks. The kidnapped church members had regained their freedom after five days in captivity, during which three persons were killed. They are currently receiving treatment from the Kwara State Government at a designated hotel in the GRA area of Ilorin.
Confirming the fresh abduction, spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said operatives received a distress report around 2:00 p.m. that four armed men invaded a farmland along Koro Road in Eruku around 12:30 p.m. and whisked away the 40-year-old farmer.
“Upon receipt of the report, a joint team of police, military personnel and local vigilante members was immediately deployed to the area for an intensive search and rescue operation,” she stated.
Ejire-Adeyemi assured residents that efforts are ongoing to secure the victim’s safe return.
A community leader, who preferred anonymity, said the attackers — suspected to be Fulani/Bororo men — stormed the farm armed with cutlasses and AK-47 rifles before abducting Aasanru and fleeing into the bush.
Sunday’s attack marks the second major incident in Eruku within a month, heightening concerns over worsening insecurity in the area.
Bandits Abduct Pastor, Wife And Worshippers During Kogi Church Service
Suspected bandits invaded a newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and abducted the pastor of the church, his wife, and other members.
The attack came unexpectedly during a church service on Sunday and left everyone running in different directions. The entire community was thrown into chaos after the attack.
Eyewitness accounts stated that the attack forced worshippers to run for safety as gunshots echoed through the area. The pastor of the church, popularly known as Orlando, was abducted along with his wife and several other members. Residents of the Ejiba community described the incident as terrifying.
Kogi State Government said it had intensified surveillance, patrols, and manhunt against the bandits that attacked the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ejiba.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the abduction.
Fanwo stated, “Yes, I have information to that effect and I am also aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture, are currently doing what they should do.
“The authorities of Yagba West local government council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators too already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.
“The governor of the state, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities and we will keep the press updated on the operations.” Vanguard/Arise News