The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Nigeria, comes amid a series of attacks on places of worship and communities across the country. According to Reuters, eyewitnesses and local authorities have confirmed that the violence, which occurred on Tuesday evening, left at least two dead and several injured. The attack, which took place during an ongoing service, saw armed men forcefully enter the church, firing weapons and taking possession of worshippers’ belongings before kidnapping the pastor and others for unknown reasons.
Local authorities have responded swiftly, with the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announcing the immediate deployment of security forces to the area to ensure the safety of the populace and to investigate the incident. The governor’s spokesperson reportedly confirmed that security operatives are being mobilized to the region, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to prevent future attacks and to protect local communities from such violence.
The situation has drawn international attention, with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz holding an event to highlight the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria. Waltz accused the perpetrators of the attacks of engaging in a form of genocide, stating that the violence has created a climate of fear and persecution. Speaking at the event, rapper Nicki Minaj, known for her vocal support of the Trump administration’s stance on religious freedom, joined in the condemnation, calling for global awareness and action to protect Christians from targeted violence in Nigeria.
These attacks follow previous incidents, including the abduction of 25 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi State, which saw the use of advanced weaponry by the perpetrators and resulted in casualties. The situation has prompted a coordinated search and rescue operation by local authorities, who are now examining potential escape routes and surrounding forests in an effort to recover the kidnapped students and apprehend the perpetrators.
The international community has also been increasingly concerned about the violence in Nigeria, with the U.S. government designating the country as a country of particular concern due to the frequency and severity of such attacks. Fox News Digital has reported on these events, detailing the increasing sense of fear among religious communities and the urgent need for collective action to address the ongoing crisis.