Terrorism: Rescued Eruku Church Worshippers Recount Ordeal After Days in Terrorists’ Den

The account reveals the operations of a highly organized criminal network with deep knowledge of the local terrain.

In a harrowing narration of their six-day ordeal, one of the 38 worshippers rescued from the Eruku church abduction described the terrifying moments of the attack and the “unimaginable” conditions they endured in a forest dominated by bandits.

Speaking to journalists shortly after their release, the survivor recounted how a peaceful Tuesday evening service suddenly turned into chaos and bloodshed.

“It was terrifying,” the worshipper said, recalling last week Tuesday’s events. “That evening, we began the programme around 5:00pm, and 30 minutes into it, after praises, we just heard gunshots. At first, I didn’t know it was gunshot.

“I thought it was just the sparkling of some wires, and before we knew it, they had surrounded the whole church. We began to see blood everywhere on the floor.”

The attackers, heavily armed and violent, quickly gathered the congregation and forced them into the surrounding forest, leaving the community in deep anguish.

According to the survivor, the situation worsened upon arrival at the bandits’ hideout, deep in the bush. The captors displayed disturbing confidence and absolute control over their environment.

“The situation inside the bush was unimaginable,” the worshipper recounted. “When we got there, we realized the area was fully dominated by these bandits. They even had the boldness to identify themselves as bandits.

“They made us understand that no one could slip away without being caught, and from what we saw, nobody could escape from that territory they have taken over.”

The testimony points to a sophisticated criminal network with extensive understanding of the terrain.

“They know all the routes surrounding the bushes in Kwara and other villages,” the survivor added, underscoring the immense difficulty of any rescue effort.

The 38 abducted worshippers were returned to their community on Sunday after what local authorities and security agencies described as a coordinated search and negotiation operation.

Although the exact details of their release remain unclear, their return has brought widespread relief and celebration in Eruku.

Local police and state officials have yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the rescue but confirmed that all 38 individuals are safe and receiving necessary medical attention and support.

The audacious attack on a place of worship has sent shockwaves across Kwara State, raising critical concerns about security in rural areas and the growing reach of criminal groups operating in the region.

Community leaders are now urging for increased security presence and a stronger strategy to safeguard vulnerable communities from future attacks.