Fresh fears over the persecution of Christians in Nigeria have been ignited after armed gunmen attacked a church service, killing at least two people and abducting the pastor and several worshippers.
The violent assault in the town of Eruku, Kwara state, comes just days after 25 girls were kidnapped from their boarding school, placing immense pressure on the Nigerian government amidst international scrutiny.
Attack During Worship
The attack unfolded on Tuesday night, November 18, 2025, at the Christ Apostolic Church. According to police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, officers responded to gunfire at around 6 p.m., finding one victim fatally shot inside the church and another in a nearby bush.
Eyewitnesses, however, reported a higher death toll. "They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and took them into the bush," parishioner Joseph Bitrus told Reuters.
A video from the scene, verified by Reuters, shows the terrifying moment the service was interrupted by gunfire. Parishioners are seen taking cover as armed men enter the church, taking belongings while gunshots ring out.
International Pressure and Security Response
The incident has drawn sharp international focus, amplified when US rapper Nicki Minaj publicly backed claims of Christian persecution. Speaking at the U.S. mission to the United Nations on Tuesday, Minaj called for global action, stating that in Nigeria, "Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed."
Her comments align with those of former US President Donald Trump, who has threatened military action over the issue. In response to the twin crises, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu postponed a planned international trip to receive security briefings.
His office stated he has ordered heightened security operations in Kwara state to hunt down the assailants. Furthermore, the president directed security agencies to "do everything possible" to rescue the 25 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state, who remain missing.
A Nation Grappling with Complex Violence
Nigeria faces a multi-faceted security crisis, including:
- An Islamist insurgency in the northeast.
- Widespread abductions and killings by armed gangs in the northwest.
- Deadly clashes between predominantly Muslim herdsmen and mostly Christian farmers in the central regions.
The Nigerian government contends that the US designation of the country as "a country of particular concern" misrepresents these complex challenges and overlooks its efforts to protect religious freedom for all citizens.
Following the church attack, the governor of Kwara state has requested the immediate deployment of additional security forces as the nation confronts this escalating wave of violence.
