“38 Abducted, Pastor Killed — Yet the Church Reopened. What Kind of Faith Is This?”
By Passman Akpos
Eruku, Kwara State — Worship has resumed at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, days after ten armed men stormed an evening service on November 18, killing several congregants — including the pastor — and abducting 38 worshippers.
A viral video from the first service held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, and reviewed by SaharaReporters, shows the congregation gathered under heightened security, with a police patrol van and armed officers stationed outside the church premises.
Inside, the preacher delivered an emotional sermon, assuring members that God’s judgment would befall the attackers and urging Christians not to fear death.
> “As a Christian, you must not fear death,” he told the congregation.“Anyone killed for the gospel of Christ dies as a witness for Christ. Their blood will cry for justice. Those evil people, watch out — God’s judgment will come upon them.”
He encouraged members to remain steadfast, saying those who died in the attack “died at the feet of Jesus” and would receive “eternal life as promised.”
Online Reactions: ‘These people get mind sha’
The video sparked a wave of public reactions, ranging from admiration to fear and humor:
“The real Christians are the ones wey come service today… if na me, dem no go see my leg there by this time next year.
“If una like no put security, prayer without work na rubbish.”
“They thought they killed them; they didn’t know they planted seeds that will multiply.”
“As for me, na online service go sure pass.”
“People no come church plenty today o, but the ones wey show up get mind.”
“No be this pastor first tear race that day leave him members?”
Others joked about bringing hunting guns, relocating to online worship, or questioning why the church reopened so quickly.
Despite the fears, many commenters praised the resilience of the congregation:“I’m impressed to see these Christians defying all odds. It’s a way of daring the enemies of peace.”
A DEADLY PATTERN AND A GLOBAL DEBATE
The attack comes amid renewed international debate over religious persecution in Nigeria.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for violations of religious freedom — a move that allows sanctions or aid restrictions. Trump claimed Christianity faces an “existential threat” in the country.
Advocacy groups like Intersociety and Open Doors allege that over 50,000 Christians have been killed and 18,000 churches destroyed since 2009, describing Nigeria as one of the world’s deadliest places for Christians. U.S. lawmakers such as Senator Ted Cruz have echoed similar concerns.
NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS GENOCIDE LABEL
Nigerian authorities strongly dispute claims of a Christian-targeted genocide.
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar recently argued that the government does not classify victims by religion, insisting that insecurity affects “all Nigerians equally — Christians, Muslims, and others.”
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia also dismissed the genocide narrative, attributing many violent incidents to land disputes, herder–farmer conflicts, and general criminality rather than religious motives.
Security analysts warn that reducing Nigeria’s insecurity crisis to a religious conflict oversimplifies a complex mix of terrorism, banditry, political grievances, and governance failures. Both Boko Haram and ISWAP have attacked Muslims and Christians alike.
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF FEAR
Back in Eruku, as police maintain watch outside the church, congregants continue to gather — fewer in number, but determined.
One worshipper said in the video, “Persecution cannot stop the church. It is as old as the church itself.”
For many, the service was both an act of mourning and a defiant declaration that faith will endure, even as the community waits anxiously for the safe return of the abducted members and justice for the dead.
