Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted by bandits during a Thanksgiving service, have regained their freedom.
The victims were released on Sunday, five days after the attack.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed their release in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye. He described the development as a major relief for the state and commended the efforts of all security agencies involved in the operation.
According to the statement, the governor attributed the successful rescue to the direct intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, details of the exact location and circumstances surrounding the release of the abductees remained unclear as of press time.
The statement explained that the victims were freed following days of sustained pressure and coordinated operations by security forces and government representatives. The governor said President Tinubu personally led the federal response, prioritizing the rescue mission.
Governor AbdulRazaq revealed that President Tinubu cancelled his scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to attend to the security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States. He added that the President also ordered increased security deployments to Kwara to aid the rescue efforts.
The governor expressed profound gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force for their roles in securing the victims’ release. He noted that the police deployed four new tactical teams to the state on the President’s directive.
He also thanked religious leaders, community stakeholders, and residents of Kwara State for their support and prayers throughout the ordeal. He described their solidarity as instrumental in boosting confidence during the rescue operations.
The state government assured residents that efforts are ongoing to strengthen security across all communities to prevent future attacks. Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated his administration’s commitment to working with federal authorities to safeguard lives and property.
