Freed Church Victim Describes Terror Gang’s Dominated Forest Routes As Government Ramps Up Tactical Security Response

 

A chilling picture of escalating insecurity has emerged from a worshipper recently freed after a violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The survivor, who spoke to journalists shortly after regaining freedom, offered a stark account of how the kidnappers command deep knowledge of forest corridors spanning Kwara and neighbouring states, giving them a dangerous advantage during their operations.

A calm evening service had barely settled when the atmosphere was shattered by sudden gunfire. The survivor explained that the first shots were confusing, sounding almost like electrical sparks, yet within seconds heavily armed men encircled the church. Congregants scrambled for safety as chaos overtook the hall, and the victim recalled that some worshippers noticed drops of blood on the floor, heightening the panic as the attackers seized control.

The abducted worshippers were forced on a grueling trek into a vast forest interior. The survivor said the kidnappers moved with absolute confidence, revealing a well established enclave that they claimed to dominate without challenge. The gang reportedly boasted that no captive escapes their stronghold and emphasized their command of intertwined bush routes connecting several states.

Accounts from the freed victim underscore the growing concern about criminal groups exploiting difficult terrains to entrench themselves. These routes allow swift movement, rapid escape, and coordinated operations across wide areas. The victim stressed that the gang’s mastery of the environment makes them exceptionally hard to track, let alone confront, deepening fears of expanding criminal influence in the region.

Kwara State authorities had earlier confirmed the release of 38 abducted persons following intensive rescue efforts. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, credited the successful operation to the direct intervention of President Bola Tinubu. The President was said to have halted a scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to focus on security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States. His directives reportedly led to heightened deployments and coordinated operations involving multiple security agencies.

The statement highlighted the contributions of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police. Four new tactical units were deployed to Kwara under presidential instruction, adding significant reinforcement to ongoing operations. Governor AbdulRazaq expressed profound gratitude to the President for what he described as a decisive commitment to safeguarding Nigerians.

A sense of relief now spreads through communities following the rescue of the abducted church members, yet concerns remain regarding the entrenched positions of criminal groups in remote forest regions. The testimony of the freed worshipper stands as a stark reminder of the escalating complexities of rural insecurity and the urgent need for sustained security presence, community vigilance, and strategic countermeasures across affected states.