What You Need to Know
At least two people were killed and others, including a pastor, were kidnapped during an armed attack on a church in Nigeria’s Kwara State. This incident adds pressure on the government amid ongoing security challenges, including recent kidnappings of schoolgirls. The attack has drawn international attention and condemnation, highlighting the need for improved security measures.
Africa. At least two people were killed and others, including a pastor, were kidnapped during an armed attack on a church in the town of Eroko, Kwara State, central Nigeria, according to police and eyewitnesses on Wednesday. This incident follows the recent kidnapping of 25 girls from a boarding school.
The attack increases pressure on the government, which is under scrutiny from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened military action over what he describes as the persecution of Christians.
Kwara police spokesperson Adetunji Ejeh Adebiyi stated that police responded to gunfire around 6 PM on Tuesday and discovered one person fatally shot inside the church and another in a nearby forest.
Eyewitnesses reported at least three fatalities among church members. One witness told a local source via phone: “They later abducted some worshippers, including the pastor, and took them into the bush,” without specifying the number of abducted individuals.
A video released by a local news agency and verified by a local source showed the Apostolic Church service interrupted by gunfire, forcing worshippers to take cover. Armed men were seen entering the church and taking people’s belongings while the shooting continued.
The governor of Kwara State has requested the immediate deployment of additional security personnel following the church attack, according to his spokesperson.
President Bola Tinubu’s office announced the postponement of a planned trip to South Africa and Angola for G20 and African Union summits to receive security briefings regarding the attacks. He has ordered enhanced security measures to pursue the attackers in Kwara.
The president also directed security agencies to “do everything possible” to rescue the schoolgirls kidnapped by bandits and return them safely, according to his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The government states that the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” distorts its complex security challenges and does not consider its efforts to ensure religious freedom for all.
Nigeria has faced significant security challenges, including Islamic insurgency in the northeast and rampant kidnappings by armed gangs, particularly in the northwest. The ongoing conflict between predominantly Muslim herders and Christian farmers in the Middle Belt has further exacerbated tensions, leading to increased violence and instability in the region. The government’s efforts to address these issues have been met with criticism, particularly regarding the safety of religious minorities and the effectiveness of security forces.