Tension Rises as Nigerians Slam Police Response After Terrorists Invade CAC Church Near Police Station
By Passman Akpos
A wave of public outrage has trailed the recent terrorist invasion of a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) assembly in Eruku, Kwara State—an attack that occurred just metres away from a Nigeria Police Force station.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore described the incident as “alarming,” questioning how armed men could operate so boldly so close to a security formation. He insisted that eyewitness accounts contradict police claims that officers “chased” the attackers away.
> “The troubling aspect is that the attack happened near a police station, yet officers claim they chased away the terrorists, which eyewitnesses say is false,” Sowore said.
The attack, captured in a chilling livestream, has intensified debates over Nigeria’s deteriorating security framework, police response capacity, and public trust in security agencies.
Nigerians React With Fury
The incident sparked an avalanche of emotional reactions on social media, with many users expressing disbelief over the police response, alleged security lapses, and growing criminal boldness.
Some questioned the training and preparedness of security operatives:
> “Are they trained to chase away criminals?” one user asked, expressing frustration.
Others accused mainstream media of ignoring critical security stories and questioned the priorities of the current administration:
> “This incident is troubling. Government must take urgent action. Lives and national assets must be protected,” another user wrote.
There were also political undertones, with hashtags such as #TinubuMustGo, #ImpeachTinubu, and allegations that national priorities have shifted toward electoral ambitions rather than security reforms.
Some commenters criticised the police’s manpower and capacity:
> “Sowore, are you even sure the police station has manpower?”
Another wrote:
> “People that comfortably operated, packed bags and left—Nigerian police!! Nigerian police!!”
Calls for Decentralized or Regional Security
A particularly heated suggestion emerged from commenters advocating for regionalized security control:
> “Let Hausa guard the North, South-South guard South-South, Yoruba guard Southwest, and Igbo guard the East—just for one year. Let’s see something.”
While controversial, the comment reflects a growing national conversation about decentralised policing, state police, and regional security outfits.
Fears Over Public Safety Deepen
The viral video, which showed the panic-stricken congregation— including an elderly woman unable to run— triggered emotional reactions and renewed calls for urgent reforms.
> “This shouldn’t be accepted. We must rise against this injustice. This must stop now,” another user said.
Government Yet to Issue Comprehensive Response
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force have not released a detailed briefing on the attack, security lapses, or the contradictory accounts surrounding the officers’ response.
Security analysts warn that attacks near police stations signal emboldened criminal elements and weakened deterrence—an issue that requires immediate, coordinated attention.
