Thirty-eight people abducted during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have been released, according to an announcement by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor underscored the critical role played by federal authorities and various security agencies in ensuring the successful rescue of the victims in Ekiti council area.
“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, HE AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) is excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State,” the statement partly said.
The governor credited President Bola Tinubu, for his hands-on involvement in the rescue operation.
“The governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees. The abductees were freed today, November 23.
“The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his direct initiative that made this happen,” the statement added.
Persecondnews reported that President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa and Angola to personally oversee security measures in Kwara and Kebbi states.
“The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.
“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” it added.
AbdulRazaq further thanked federal security agencies and local forces involved in the operation.
“The governor also expresses appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; the Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police, which has graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President,” the statement read.
The Secretary of CAC Oke Isegun, Michael Agbabiaka, also confirmed the release, noting the Department of State Services (DSS) contacted the community around 4 p.m. with the news.
The community is now anxiously awaiting the arrival of the freed individuals to reunite them with their families.
“Yes, they called us that the abductees have been freed. We are waiting for them to be brought back to the community. Our people are eager to see them alive and safe,” he said.
The Kwara church attack, which saw armed bandits invade a Tuesday service, resulted in three worshippers killed and 38 people abducted, sparking national outrage.
The incident stands as one of the largest mass abductions in Kwara’s recent history, significantly heightening fears over escalating bandit activity, particularly near the state’s borders with Kogi and Niger.
The successful release follows days of intensive operations led by security agencies, which involved a massive combing exercise utilizing soldiers, DSS operatives, Special Tactical Squad units, SWAT personnel, anti-kidnapping operatives, and local vigilantes.
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