Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has announced the safe release of 38 people who were kidnapped during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the development on Sunday, noting that the victims regained freedom after days of intense efforts by security agencies and government officials.
According to the statement, Governor AbdulRazaq credited President Bola Tinubu for personally leading the push to secure the victims’ release. He added that the abductees were freed on November 23.
The statement recalled that President Tinubu postponed his planned trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa so he could attend to security issues in both Kwara and Kebbi states. It also mentioned that the President ordered increased security deployment to Kwara to ensure the safety of citizens.
The governor expressed gratitude to all federal security agencies involved, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force, which deployed four new tactical teams on the President’s directive.
He also appreciated local security groups and other stakeholders who supported the rescue efforts.
Confirming the release, the Secretary of CAC Oke Isegun, Michael Agbabiaka, said the community was informed by the DSS around 4 pm that the abductees had been freed. He added that families and residents were eagerly awaiting their return.
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The mass abduction, which occurred during a church service on Tuesday and claimed the lives of three worshippers, had sparked widespread outrage across the country. It is one of the largest abduction incidents recorded in Kwara in recent years and heightened concerns about rising bandit attacks around the state’s borders with Kogi and Niger.
The victims’ release follows an intensive operation involving soldiers, DSS operatives, Special Tactical Squad units, SWAT officers, anti-kidnapping teams, and local vigilantes.
