The Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, has released the names of 38 members abducted during Tuesday’s attack that left two worshippers dead and many others missing.
The list contains the names and ages of the abducted worshippers.
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).
Meanwhile, Streetnet had earlier reported on Tuesday that the gunmen stormed the church during a worship session, shooting sporadically and sending worshippers running for safety.
Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi confirmed that two bodies were recovered, adding that “operatives and vigilantes responded to gunshots from the outskirts of the community and forced the attackers to flee.”
However, the state government linked the incident to rising insecurity around the Kwara–Kogi border.
In a statement on Wednesday, it said the Nigerian Army had taken control of the area. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who visited the community with security officials, assured residents that “Our government will not leave any stone unturned to return total calm in Eruku.”
He later told leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ilorin that both state and federal authorities were working together to secure the release of those abducted. “You are not alone. The government is taking all required steps to stabilise the area,” he said.
Security agencies say efforts are ongoing to trace the kidnappers’ movements and rescue the victims.