A survivor of the recent mass kidnapping at a church in Kwara State has described the terrifying conditions he and dozens of others endured while held captive by armed men who openly identified themselves as bandits.
The attack took place on 18 November at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, where worshippers had gathered for an evening service. Thirty-eight abducted victims were later rescued by security forces, an operation confirmed by President Bola Tinubu on Sunday.
Speaking to TVC, the survivor said the worshippers were barely half an hour into the programme when gunshots erupted around the church.
“It happened suddenly. We had just settled down when we heard loud sounds,” he said. “At first, I thought it was an electrical spark. Before we could react, they had surrounded the entire building.”
He said some worshippers noticed bloodstains within the premises as the attackers forced them out and marched them into a nearby forest.
According to him, the captors made no effort to hide their identity. “They told us themselves that they were bandits,” he said. “They bragged that no one escapes from their territory. And from what we saw, it was true they knew every route across the bushes in Kwara and neighbouring areas.”
The survivors were led deep into what he described as a “dominated area,” with the kidnappers confidently navigating the terrain.
“It was unimaginable,” he added. “They had full control of the place. Anyone trying to run would have been caught.”
Authorities say the rescued victims are receiving medical care, while security agencies continue operations in the region.
Further updates are expected as investigations progress.