KWARA GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF 38 WORSHIPPERS ABDUCTED FROM ERUKU CHURCH

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has confirmed the release of 38 persons abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

The development was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. According to the statement, the victims were freed after extensive efforts involving security agencies and government officials.

“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 read.

Governor AbdulRazaq praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for playing a direct and decisive role in ensuring the abductees’ rescue.

“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,” it added.

The statement noted that President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to the G20 Meeting in South Africa to personally oversee security interventions in both 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,” the statement said.

Governor AbdulRazaq also extended gratitude to security agencies involved in the operation, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force, which deployed four tactical teams to the state on the President’s directive.

Confirming the development, the Secretary of CAC Oke Isegun, Michael Agbabiaka, said that the DSS contacted the community around 4 pm to inform them of the release. He said residents were eagerly awaiting the victims’ return to reunite with their families.

“Yes, they called us that the abductees have been freed,” he said. “We are waiting for them to be brought back to the community. Our people are eager to see them alive and safe.”

The abduction, which occurred during a church service last Tuesday and resulted in the killing of three worshippers, sparked national outrage and heightened fears over rising bandit activities near the borders with Kogi and Niger states.

Their rescue follows a massive joint security operation involving soldiers, DSS operatives, Special Tactical Squad units, SWAT personnel, anti-kidnapping teams and local vigilantes.

The state government has not yet provided updates on the victims’ health status or when they will be reunited with their families.