Everything You Saw In Viral Video Is True – Eruku Church Attack Survivor Narrates Experience

A survivor (name withheld) of the recent bandit attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke Isegun, Eruku Community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, has narrated her experience and other details about the attack and the effects it has had on her. She recounted the event and how she survived the attack during an interview session with Kristina Reports. Read!

Kristina Reports: Can you tell us what happened that fateful day?

It was on a Tuesday. That evening, we went to church to observe a special programme that started on Sunday. It was a revival service. It wasn’t too long after the Programme started that we heard gunshots.

Everything you saw in that video is true and exactly what happened. But when we were taken outside, some members who tried to resist were shot instantly. Three of the church members were shot while one was in the hospital receiving treatment. The bandits separated us according to our age grades.

The young and strong were taken to the front while others who were old were left behind. The reason I was left behind was because I have a bad leg and they said I will slow them down. I was very lucky I was not shot when I was told to stay behind.

It was a very devastating experience for us all that evening. I met with death face to face because I thought it was the end of my life. A total of 38 persons were taken including children. “

Is this the first attack in Eruku?

Eruku is a very peaceful place. This is not the first. We have been calling on the government since to come to our aid but because they have not seen solid evidence, they have not been responsive. They have invaded our farmlands before and burnt our farms.

So, there was no prior sign before the attack? What about the security operatives in the town?

Our security operatives were sent to Ilorin to acquire more training on security. We have vigilante that was on training. This shows you that someone here is an informant. Because since our King, Oba Busari Ayinde Olarenwaju has tightened the security, there have been minimal attacks. But for this to happen when our vigilante was on training, it means someone is giving them information.

Have there been any measures taken to get back those kidnapped? What has the government done?

They have sent a battalion of soldiers from A-Divison, Ilorin to us here. The Governor also came here some days ago. The former Governor too, Bukola Saraki also was here. About those kidnapped, we are asked to pay twenty million Naira per person. We do not have that kind of money. At this point, it is all in God’s hands.

So, you, how are you coping with the whole trauma? Has the government gotten across to you?

No, not yet. They just came here and went round the village and assured us things will be alright. I am fine. I am just concerned about my people that were taken. I really feel for them. The government should do everything they can to bring back the pastor and others they took.