Fresh details have emerged regarding the victims of Tuesday’s deadly attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident, which left two worshippers dead and dozens abducted, has intensified public pressure on security agencies to rescue the missing residents.
A list containing the names and ages of 38 abducted church members was published on Thursday by the Ilorin-based newspaper National Pilot, citing community sources. According to the report, the youngest victim is a seven-year-old child, while the oldest is 64. Of the 38 abductees, 30 are women — a detail that has deepened concerns about their safety.
KeepLoss earlier reported that gunmen stormed the church during a mid-week worship session, firing shots and causing chaos as members fled in different directions. Residents said that more than 30 congregants were marched into the bush during the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed that two bodies were recovered after security operatives and local vigilantes responded to gunshots from the outskirts of the community. According to her, the attackers fled after the firefight, but not before seizing several worshippers.
The list now circulating across the community includes:
Felicia Ige (64), Timileyin Joshua (22), Elizabeth Rotimi (27), Samuel Ayodele (34), Olutokun Yetunde (23), Olutokun Janet (36), Olutokun Juwon (10), Olutokun Jumbu (12), Ebenezer Aina (24), Titilayo Balogun (59), Opeyemi Asaba (24), Grace Balogun (62), Ayodele Taye (42), Oloke Funmilayo (42), Joseph Olaitan (24), Eniola Princess (23), Comfort Atolani (44), Joanah Atolani (7), Imole Aina (9), Moses Ojasope (12), Iyabo Ajayi (40), Adeojo Ojasope (19), Ojo Ajayi (10), Funmilayo Joshua (64), Iyabo Michael (32), Bimpe Ige (20), Grace Iyabo Ige (41), Deborah Peter (38), Omolola Mustapha (40), Idowu Mustapha (17), Emmanuel Bamidele (22), Ade Ajayi (7), Foluso Caleb (42), Funmilayo Ayodele (37), Folorunso Bamidele (42), Akinola Toluwani (24), and Akinola Babalola (14).
Community members told reporters that the victims were taken during a prayer session and that the exact number remained uncertain, as many worshippers initially fled into farmlands during the gunfire.
The Kwara State Government has linked the attack to broader insecurity along the Kwara–Kogi border, which has witnessed escalating bandit activity. In a statement on Wednesday, the government said the Nigerian Army had taken control of the area.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who visited the church with security chiefs, promised that no effort would be spared in restoring calm to Eruku. Addressing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ilorin, he assured families that both state and federal authorities were working “tirelessly” to secure the release of the abducted worshippers.
The attack triggered widespread outrage, leading to protests on the Kwara–Kogi highway on Wednesday as youths demanded stronger security measures. The government later shut schools in five local government areas after intelligence reports warned that armed groups might attempt to use children as shields.
Security agencies say operations to track the kidnappers’ route are ongoing, though details remain closely guarded due to the sensitive nature of the mission.
