Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has announced the release of 38 persons abducted during last week’s attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
The victims regained their freedom on Sunday, November 23, after several days of coordinated operations involving security agencies and government representatives.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the rescue was made possible through decisive intervention by President Bola Tinubu. According to the statement, Governor AbdulRazaq credited the development to the President’s “hands-on approach” and swift directives following the incident.
“The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States,” the statement said. “He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our people and Nigerians as a whole. The abductees were freed today, November 23.”
Governor AbdulRazaq expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu, describing the successful rescue as “wholly due to his direct initiative.” He also acknowledged the roles played by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force, which deployed four new tactical teams to the state on the President’s orders.
The governor further appreciated religious institutions, community leaders, and residents of the state for their support, solidarity, and cooperation throughout the ordeal.
The release of the abductees brings significant relief to the Eruku community, which had been thrown into anxiety and mourning following the attack that left several worshippers dead and dozens kidnapped.
