CAC Mass Abduction: Kwara Church resumes worship amid tight Police presence

Service has resumed at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun branch in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, days after terrorists attacked the church, killing several worshippers and abducting 38 members, including the pastor.

The attack, carried out by ten armed men on November 18 during an evening service, left the community devastated. Despite the tragedy, worshippers returned on Sunday, November 23, 2025, to hold their first service since the incident.

A viral video from the service, seen by Very Nigerian, captured the preacher declaring that God’s judgment would fall upon the attackers.

He encouraged members to remain steadfast in their faith, saying Christians must not fear death because eternal life is God’s promise.

“As a Christian, you must not fear death. Jesus has promised you eternal life… Anywhere death comes to you, make sure you do not curse Jesus,” he preached.

He added that those who died in the attack “died a righteous death” and would be avenged by God, saying their blood “will cry for justice”.

He reminded the congregation that anyone who is killed for the gospel “dies as a witness for Christ”, insisting that the Bible assures that God will avenge the deaths of His witnesses.

“Those evil people, watch out, God’s judgment will come upon them,” he said.

The video also showed a police van and officers stationed outside the church to prevent further attacks.

The incident has renewed global debate on religious persecution in Nigeria. Advocacy groups and some U.S. politicians argue that Christians are facing systematic attacks, a claim Nigerian officials strongly reject.

President Donald Trump recently reignited the controversy by redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations, a move welcomed by some religious organisations but dismissed by Nigerian authorities.

Groups like the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) and Open Doors claim that more than 50,000 Christians have been killed and 18,000 churches destroyed since 2009. U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, have labelled Nigeria “the deadliest country in the world for Christians”.

However, Nigerian officials counter that insecurity affects all citizens.

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the government does not categorise victims by religion, insisting both Christians and Muslims suffer from terrorism and banditry. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia also denied there is any religious genocide, blaming violence on herder-farmer conflicts and other local tensions.

Analysts warn that describing the crisis as a “Christian genocide” oversimplifies Nigeria’s security challenges, which involve terrorism, banditry, and weak governance. Both Boko Haram and ISWAP have attacked Muslims and Christians alike.

CPC designation gives the U.S. government room to impose sanctions or restrict aid.

Trump has repeatedly warned that Nigeria faces a “fast, vicious, and sweet” response if killings continue, saying Christianity is under “existential threat” in the country.

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