Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted by gunmen in a recent attack, have regained their freedom following a high-level rescue effort coordinated at the federal and state levels.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the release of the victims, describing the development as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
According to the statement, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq attributed the successful rescue operation to the “hands-on and decisive intervention” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was said to have personally overseen the efforts that led to the safe return of the abductees.
Ajakaye explained that President Tinubu ordered heightened security deployments to Kwara following the attack, demonstrating what he described as the President’s “firm commitment to the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.” He added that the federal intervention proved crucial in ensuring the prompt location and eventual release of the captives.
“The state government is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu for his direct initiative and leadership, which played a pivotal role in securing the freedom of the abducted church members,” the governor’s spokesman said.
The statement also extended appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the security agencies whose efforts, it noted, were bolstered by the deployment of four new tactical teams to the state at the President’s directive. These teams, according to officials, were instrumental in intensifying search operations across difficult terrains and enabling coordinated actions among security units.
While details regarding the condition of the rescued victims were not immediately disclosed, government sources indicated that they were receiving necessary care and debriefing.
The attack on CAC Eruku had triggered widespread concern across Kwara and beyond, heightening calls for more robust security interventions in rural communities vulnerable to banditry and kidnapping. Sunday’s development has, however, offered relief to families and residents who had endured days of uncertainty and anxiety.
Governor AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s continued collaboration with federal authorities to strengthen security architecture across the state, assuring citizens that measures were being reinforced to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
