Man Refuses to Stay Inside Church During Night Vigil Over Fear of Bandit Attack

A Nigerian man has sparked widespread conversation online after refusing to remain inside a church during a night vigil, choosing instead to stay outside due to fear of a possible bandit attack.

The incident was shared in a video posted on his TikTok account, @ojugo_1. The clip, which has gained significant attention, shows the man standing outside the church premises with a group of friends. Meanwhile, other worshippers remained seated inside the church, fully participating in the ongoing vigil service.

Explaining his decision, the man said he preferred to stay close to the entrance for safety reasons. He stated that in the event of an unexpected attack, being outside would give him a quicker escape route through the fence or gate. His caption read, “So we dey one church vigil like this. Omo, na outside I go dey o. I go dey outside,” highlighting his discomfort with staying inside the building.

The video has generated mixed reactions, with some viewers agreeing that security concerns in parts of the country make such fears understandable, while others dismissed his choice as unnecessary panic.

The incident comes shortly after a tragic attack in Kwara State that renewed nationwide concern about safety in worship centres. On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku during an evening service. The attackers fired shots, leading to the deaths of three worshippers and injuries to several others.

In the aftermath of the attack, the pastor and a number of congregants were abducted and taken into the nearby bush. A church official later confirmed that thirty eight worshippers were kidnapped, with the attackers demanding a ransom of one hundred million naira for each victim.

Eyewitnesses reported that the armed men approached from the surrounding bush and created panic as they entered the church. They fled the scene when security operatives and local vigilantes responded to distress calls.

The Kwara State Police Command has assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track the perpetrators and rescue the abducted congregants. Security analysts have since renewed calls for improved surveillance around religious centres, especially during night gatherings.

The viral TikTok video has further intensified conversations on the need for increased vigilance and better security arrangements in places of worship across the country.