A church service in north central Nigeria turned deadly after gunmen stormed a worship gathering in Kwara State, killing three people and abducting the pastor and several congregants in an attack partly captured on livestream. The incident has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s security crisis and the growing trend of armed groups striking rural communities with little resistance.

The assault happened in the town of Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area, where worshippers had been broadcasting their service live. Footage circulating on X, originally posted by Sahara Reporters and verified by local outlets Premium Times and Arise News, shows the moments leading up to the gunmen’s arrival. The stream ended abruptly as attackers armed with rifles entered the church compound.

Local authorities confirmed that three victims were killed on site. The pastor and multiple worshippers were taken away by the attackers, who fled through forest routes along the Kwara–Kogi border, an area long identified by security agencies as a hotspot for kidnappers and armed groups operating across North Central Nigeria.

The Kwara State Police Command said a joint force of police, military personnel and community hunters had launched a search-and-rescue operation. Officials believe the attackers were part of a coordinated bandit group that has expanded operations across rural corridors where surveillance and state presence remain limited.

WATCH: Chilling Livestream from CAC Church in Eruku Town in Kwara State Captures Final Moments Before Gun-Wielding Terrorists Struck During a Church Service pic.twitter.com/UVdAvyouZX

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) November 18, 2025

The livestream aspect of the attack has amplified public outrage nationwide. Videos of the church moments before the shooting have sparked renewed warnings from security analysts about deteriorating conditions in areas once considered relatively stable. Religious centers, particularly in remote towns, have increasingly become targets as criminal groups exploit soft environments for ransom kidnappings.

Residents of Eruku say fear has gripped the community as families await updates on those taken. Authorities have increased patrols, but locals warn that unless the perpetrators are caught quickly, the region risks further attacks.

The incident comes amid rising pressure on federal and state authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, protect worship spaces, and reinforce rural policing. Analysts note that the consistency of such attacks, from schools to churches to highways, underscores a broader breakdown in deterrence.

Search operations are continuing across forest routes linking Kwara to Kogi and Niger States. Security agencies have urged residents to report suspicious movement and support investigations that could assist in locating the abducted victims.

The Kwara attack marks another reminder of how Nigeria’s armed groups are evolving in scale and boldness, with livestreamed moments from what should have been a peaceful worship service now circulating globally as evidence of a deepening security emergency.