Abuja: Two people were killed and several others, including a pastor, were kidnapped after armed men attacked a church in central Nigeria on Tuesday evening. The incident took place in Eruku, a quiet town in Kwara State, where worshippers had gathered for prayer.

Police said the gunmen entered the church around 6 p.m. and opened fire. One person died inside the building, while another was found dead nearby. Witnesses said the attackers forced the pastor and a number of worshippers into the surrounding bush before escaping.

Local officials described the attack as a painful blow to the community. Security forces have launched a search operation, but authorities have not confirmed how many people were taken.

The attack comes at a time when Nigeria is struggling with rising violence. Just days earlier, 25 schoolgirls were abducted from a boarding school in Kebbi State in the north west, and a vice principal was killed in that assault. The two incidents have added pressure on the government to strengthen security and prevent further kidnappings.

President Bola Tinubu postponed a planned trip for the G20 summit to focus on rescue efforts and to direct more troops to affected areas. Additional security personnel have been deployed to Kwara State to support local operations.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including armed gangs, farmer herder clashes and attacks on villages and places of worship. Communities in central regions, once considered relatively calm, have increasingly been caught in the wave of violence.

Authorities say they are doing everything possible to rescue the kidnapped worshippers and bring the attackers to justice, but families in Eruku remain anxious as they wait for updates.