A peaceful worship service turned into a bloodbath Monday evening when gunmen opened fire inside a Nigerian church, killing at least three and kidnapping several others amid rising anti-Christian violence in the region.

On November 18, 2025, militants attacked Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, during a livestreamed service, unleashing chaos with rifles and machetes, murdering worshippers, and abducting the pastor before vanishing into the bush, as The Sun reports.

The attack erupted just after 6 p.m., local time, as masked assailants stormed the church mid-sermon. Gunshots rang out during the broadcast, sending panicked congregants scrambling for cover as the livestream abruptly cut out.

Militants Open Fire on Worshippers in Church

Eyewitnesses reported that three victims were killed on the spot, while others were pulled from hiding and seized by the attackers before they escaped. The gunmen rifled through belongings, destroyed equipment, and dragged churchgoers—including the pastor—into the surrounding wilderness.

One victim, identified as Mr. Aderemi, was found lifeless inside the church. Another, Mr. Tunde, was discovered dead in nearby brush. A local vigilante, Segun Alaja, took a bullet while responding and was taken to ECWA Hospital in Eruku for treatment.

According to residents, the violence unfolded swiftly and without warning. The brazen nature of the strike—carried out in daylight and live on video—marks a chilling escalation in attacks on Christian communities across Nigeria.

Police, Vigilantes Respond Amid Rising Tensions

Kwara State Police and local volunteer forces responded rapidly after hearing gunfire. Though they managed to confront the militants as they fled into neighboring villages, the attackers evaded capture using remote footpaths.

Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi confirmed “an attempted bandit attack” and stated that the swift joint response forced the hoodlums to flee. “The Kwara State Police Command confirms an attempted bandit attack in Eruku, which occurred at about 18:00 hours of today, 18th November 2025,” she told Sahara Reporters.

Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo pledged continued efforts to track down the culprits, saying, “Security agencies will not relent until these hoodlums are totally decimated.” That’s refreshingly direct language from a law enforcement official—we could use more of that in the West.

Christian Association Denounces “Genocide”

This isn’t just another bandit raid—it’s part of a broader tragedy. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the government of turning a blind eye to what it calls a campaign of “Christian genocide.”

CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh didn’t mince words: “It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired.” He detailed the toll: destroyed churches, displaced families, and communities uprooted from ancestral lands.

“Lives have been brutally cut short,” he said, “churches razed, and hopes shattered.” If that doesn’t count as targeted religious persecution, it’s hard to imagine what does.

World Leaders React As Nigeria Pushes Back

Even from across the Atlantic, leaders are paying attention. In a statement earlier this month, former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the violence and warned of consequences if Nigeria fails to protect Christians.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria,” Trump declared. He even threatened military intervention to eliminate the terrorists behind these attacks.

Naturally, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t take kindly to Trump’s remarks, brushing them off as not reflecting Nigeria’s “national reality.” His administration insists it is working to protect people of all faiths—though the evidence on the ground suggests otherwise.

Fear Lingers as Families Wait for Answers

In the town of Eruku, fear still hangs thick in the air. Families don’t yet know how many loved ones were kidnapped, or if they’re even alive. Security forces searched through the bush overnight, but those kidnapped have not been located.

“Three people were killed instantly. We still don’t know the exact number taken,” one witness told Sahara Reporters. For now, that uncertainty is a heavy burden for those awaiting answers and praying for a miracle.

Nigerians—Christian and otherwise—deserve better than to be left helpless under siege in their own churches. It's time to stop making excuses and start asking harder questions about why this keeps happening—and who stands to gain from the silence.