A video capturing the heartwarming moment Eruku community residents celebrated the return of 38 kidnapped worshippers has gone viral online, drawing attention to the overwhelming relief and joy felt by the locals. The footage shows families, friends, and community members embracing the returning worshippers, singing, and offering prayers of gratitude for their safe return.
The victims, all members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), were abducted during a church service on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The incident sent shockwaves through Kwara State and beyond, as the news of the mass abduction sparked widespread concern for the safety of worshippers in the region and reignited discussions about the growing insecurity posed by banditry in Nigeria.
Worshippers Abducted During Church Service
The 38 church members were forcibly taken by suspected bandits while attending a regular service, an act that left the congregation and the wider community in a state of fear and disbelief. Eyewitnesses recounted how the assailants, armed and organized, entered the church premises swiftly, rounding up the worshippers before making their escape into the surrounding forested areas. News of the abduction quickly spread, prompting emergency responses from local authorities and attracting national attention to the incident.
Authorities and local security operatives were mobilized to investigate and track down the abductors, but as of the worshippers’ release, no arrests had been reported. This has led to public concern over the lack of immediate action against the perpetrators and questions about the effectiveness of security measures to protect vulnerable communities during religious gatherings.
Five Days in Captivity
The captives endured five days under the control of their abductors, facing conditions described as tense and frightening by the returning worshippers. During this time, the abductees reportedly had limited access to food and water and were kept under constant surveillance to prevent any escape attempts. The psychological trauma experienced by the victims, especially children, was evident, making their eventual release a moment of immense relief for families and the community at large.
Upon their release, the freed worshippers were reunited with their families, who had been anxiously awaiting news of their safety. Community leaders and church authorities expressed deep gratitude to all those who contributed to efforts ensuring the release, while also calling for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Community Celebrates Freedom
The viral video shared by X user Chuks captures the exuberant celebrations of the Eruku community. Residents can be seen singing joyful Yoruba songs, dancing, and praising the God of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the founder of CAC. Women led a significant portion of the celebration, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the safe return of the worshippers. The scene reflects both the spiritual faith of the community and the collective relief at having their loved ones back home unharmed.
The release of the worshippers has sparked broader conversations about community resilience and the importance of security in protecting places of worship. While the joy is palpable, there remains an underlying concern about the bandits involved and the need for justice and preventive measures to ensure that such abductions do not recur.
See below:
Eruku community rejoices following reports that 38 victims åbdûcted during the recent att@ck on CAC church have regained their freedom. https://t.co/1m7bvLu8O8 pic.twitter.com/WE8EeLBpDd
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) November 23, 2025