Armed men attacked a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) congregation Tuesday evening in Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria, killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.

The attack occurred just after members of the church gathered for a meeting. Witnesses said the attackers entered the church compound, firing their weapons, causing worshippers to flee in different directions. Those who couldn’t flee were held at gunpoint and forced into nearby forest paths that link Eruku with surrounding villages.

Witnesses said the attackers moved quickly and left the area using bush routes commonly used by armed groups operating between Ekiti, Oke-Ero, and communities bordering Kogi state. The attack followed earlier warnings from travelers who reported seeing armed men entering Eruku through one of the main access roads. Gunfire was heard as they advanced, forcing motorists and locals to abandon their vehicles and flee into the surrounding farmlands. One traveler recorded a video while hiding, capturing the sound of gunshots as he called for help.

Shops in Eruku remained closed for hours after the attack, and many residents stayed indoors, waiting for information. As of the latest reports, neither the Kwara State Police Command nor the state government has issued a statement. Families are still searching for missing relatives, and the exact number of abducted church members has not been confirmed.

The incident in Eruku is one of several attacks reported recently across Kwara, particularly in rural communities connected by forest corridors. Local sources have reported increased activity by unidentified armed groups in the area during the past week. The abduction of a pastor and worshippers from a church gathering marks one of the most significant attacks reported this month in the state.

In Taraba state, protests erupted in Amadu community after five more people were killed on Monday night by armed Fulani militants. Residents blocked major roads on Tuesday morning, demanding increased security presence and an investigation into repeated attacks in the area. Community leaders said the killings add to a rising number of violent incidents that have left 27 people dead in less than 12 days. Several homes were burned during the latest attack, and livestock belonging to local farmers was taken.

Protesters in Amadu held placards and marched through the streets, calling for security forces to begin regular patrols and respond quickly to distress calls. A youth leader in the community said residents have been experiencing attacks almost weekly. Many families have left their homes, taking shelter in nearby towns while waiting for assurance that it is safe to return.

Residents described patterns of movement by the attackers, who often target farmland routes and isolated hamlets during evening hours. Local vigilante groups attempted to respond to the most recent assault but were outnumbered. Community representatives said victims of this month’s attacks include farmers, traders, and children caught in the crossfire during night raids.

The violence in Kwara and Taraba reflects a broader rise in attacks on rural Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Many incidents involve armed groups moving through forested areas that offer cover and escape routes. Similar reports have come from Plateau, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kaduna in recent months. Churches, community meetings, and farming areas have become frequent targets, and families often flee to neighboring towns or church compounds for temporary safety.

Security analysts note that attacks tend to increase toward the end of the year, when communities are completing their harvests. Many villages rely on these harvests for food and income, and disruptions have added to ongoing economic challenges. Displacement caused by repeated attacks has also strained resources in small towns hosting affected families.

Authorities in both Kwara and Taraba have not released official statements on the latest incidents. Security agencies have not confirmed the number of abducted victims from the CAC church attack, and local search efforts continue along forest paths surrounding Eruku. In Taraba, residents are still counting the dead from the most recent assault while documenting property damage and losses.

Humanitarian groups working in the region report increasing needs for food, shelter, and medical assistance as more families flee from rural villages. Access to formal displacement camps remains limited in many parts of the Middle Belt, leaving churches and local community centers to serve as temporary shelters.

The killing of 27 people in less than two weeks in Amadu and the surrounding communities has intensified calls for government action. Residents say they will continue peaceful demonstrations until they see stronger coordination between security forces and local leaders. Meanwhile, families in Kwara are still searching for those taken from the church and waiting for updates from authorities. The situation in both states remains unstable as communities assess the effects of the latest attacks and prepare for possible further incidents.

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