Ilorin, Nigeria – Thirty-eight people abducted from a church service in Nigeria’s Kwara State have been released, according to the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The worshippers were seized last Tuesday during an attack by armed bandits on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, located in the Ekiti local government area of the state. Three worshippers were killed during the initial attack, which sparked national outrage.
Governor AbdulRazaq confirmed the release in a statement on Sunday, thanking security forces and government representatives for their efforts.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, issued the statement, announcing the freedom of the abductees on November 23rd.
President Tinubu’s Direct Intervention
Governor AbdulRazaq notably credited Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for personally overseeing the rescue operation, saying the outcome was “wholly due to the hands-on approach” of the President.
The Governor’s office recalled that President Tinubu had recently postponed a scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to attend to security breaches in Kwara and neighbouring Kebbi State. Following the incident, the President had also directed increased security deployments to Kwara.
Governor AbdulRazaq expressed his gratitude to the federal security agencies involved, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police, which has reportedly deployed four new tactical teams to the state on the President’s directive.
Anxious Reunion
The mass abduction was one of the largest in Kwara’s recent history, highlighting growing concerns over bandit activity near the state’s borders with Kogi and Niger.
Michael Agbabiaka, the Secretary of the local church, confirmed the release to the media, stating that the DSS had informed the community that the captives had been freed. He noted that the community was anxiously awaiting their return home to be reunited with their families.
The rescue follows an intensive, multi-agency combing operation involving soldiers, DSS operatives, police tactical teams, and local vigilantes.
Add Comment