Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has confirmed the release of 38 worshippers who were abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, located in Ekiti Local Government Area.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, the abducted individuals were freed following days of coordinated efforts by security agencies and government officials. Governor AbdulRazaq expressed joy over their release and attributed the success largely to President Bola Tinubu’s direct involvement.
The statement noted that President Tinubu had personally overseen the rescue efforts and had even cancelled his planned trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to focus on security issues in Kwara and Kebbi states. He also ordered increased security deployment to the affected areas as part of efforts to curb rising insecurity.
Governor AbdulRazaq extended his appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force — which, on the President’s orders, deployed four new tactical squads to the state.
Other stakeholders who supported the rescue efforts were also acknowledged.
Speaking to PUNCH Online, Michael Agbabiaka, Secretary of CAC Oke Isegun, confirmed that the DSS informed the community around 4 p.m. that the abducted worshippers had been released. He added that residents were eagerly awaiting the victims’ return so they could reunite with their families.
The abduction, which occurred during a church service on Tuesday, sparked widespread outrage after gunmen killed three worshippers and kidnapped 38 others — one of the largest mass abductions in Kwara in recent times. The incident intensified concerns about increasing bandit activities near the state’s borders with Kogi and Niger.
The victims’ release followed a massive security operation involving the military, DSS, police tactical units, SWAT operatives, anti-kidnapping squads, and local vigilante groups.
