A victim of the recent kidnapping at a church in Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, has revealed shocking details of the terrorists’ operations, saying the criminals had fully-dominated vast forest areas and possess deep knowledge of the bush routes connecting Kwara to neighbouring states.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday after regaining freedom, the victim explained how the attackers struck with precision and confidence.

According to him, the church programme had barely begun when gunshots erupted.

“Because that evening, after like 30 minutes into the program, I heard gunshots. At first, I didn’t even recognise it. I thought it was just some electrical spark.”

He added that within moments, the attackers had surrounded the entire church premises.

“By the time we realised what was happening, they had already surrounded the whole church. Some people even said they saw drops of blood outside.”

Describing the harrowing experience from the day of the abduction till their release, the victim said the camp where the abductees were held was under the firm control of the terrorists.

“It was unimaginable. When we got there, we didn’t know it was a fully dominated area,” he explained.

“They even had the boldness to tell us they are bandits. They made it clear that nobody can escape from that place and truly, from what we saw, escape is impossible.”

The victim further disclosed that the terrorists demonstrated deep familiarity with the vast forests, routes and hidden passages.

“From that place they have dominated, they know all the roads surrounding the bushes in Kwara and other states,” he said.

Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Igan, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area, who were abducted by terrorists during a church programme, have regained their freedom.

The victims were released on Sunday after days in captivity.

On November 18, Daily Sun reported that terrorists stormed a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku town, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor, during a Tuesday evening service.

Sources told Daily Sun that the attackers stormed the church during a programme, shooting sporadically before opening fire directly on worshippers.

Three members were killed instantly as panic swept through the congregation. “The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting and three people died immediately,” a source stated.

“They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor and marched them into the bush (The Sun)