On November 18, a tragic incident unfolded at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, when bandits attacked the worship centre during a live-streamed Sunday service. The assault, which occurred around 6 PM, saw sporadic gunshots disrupting the congregation, forcing them to scatter for safety. In the aftermath, three worshippers were tragically killed, one was injured, and 38 others were abducted by the assailants.

Following days of intensive efforts by security forces, all 38 abducted worshippers successfully regained their freedom on November 23. This significant achievement was largely attributed to the direct intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who personally coordinated security operations. President Tinubu had notably cancelled his scheduled trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to focus on the security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States, underscoring his firm commitment to national safety. He also announced the recovery of 51 abducted pupils from a Catholic school in Niger State, reaffirming his dedication to protecting all Nigerians.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership and initiative. The governor also extended appreciation to a consortium of security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Nigeria Police. The President's directive led to the deployment of four new tactical teams to Kwara State, which played a crucial role in the rescue operation. Local vigilantes also contributed significantly to the efforts.

Amidst the fear and trauma, the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku demonstrated resilience by resuming its Sunday service under a heavy security presence. The officiating pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, encouraged congregants to find hope and not fear death, likening their trials to biblical challenges. The church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, clarified that 38 individuals were abducted, dispelling earlier rumors of over 60. He also revealed that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of N100 million per victim, which was later negotiated down to N20 million before communication ceased.

While the safe return of the worshippers brought immense relief, the Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) critically assessed the incident. In a statement, the party expressed gratitude for the rescue but highlighted persistent security failures that allowed the attack to occur. The PDP demanded transparency from the state government regarding the arrests of perpetrators, whether any ransom was paid (especially from public funds), the condition of the victims, and concrete measures to prevent future attacks. The party argued that true victory lies in the arrest and prosecution of criminals and the implementation of a robust, proactive security strategy, rather than merely celebrating the release of hostages.