Authorities in Kwara State, located in the North Central region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, have confirmed the release of thirty eight individuals who were abducted during a violent incursion at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, within Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
The announcement was made public on Sunday through an official statement issued by Rafiu Ajakaye, who serves as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
According to the statement, the coordinated intervention of security institutions and the support of federal authorities ensured the freedom of the abducted worshippers. Okay News reports that the governor praised these actors for what he described as days of tireless exertion.
The statement partly read:
“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Commander of the Order of the Niger) is excited to announce the freedom of thirty eight persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq credited the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for personally driving the rescue initiative. The statement continued:
“The governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees. The abductees were freed today, November 23. The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, for his direct initiative that made this happen.”
The governor’s office recalled that President Tinubu had suspended his planned journey to the G20 Meeting in the Republic of South Africa in order to supervise urgent security interventions in both Kwara and Kebbi States.
“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. He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” the statement noted.
Governor AbdulRazaq also extended appreciation to federal and local security formations that participated in the rescue effort.
“The governor also expresses appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services, which is known as DSS; the Nigerian Army; the Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police Force, which has graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President,” the statement said.
Other relevant stakeholders were equally acknowledged for contributing to the successful rescue operation, which has brought relief to families and communities affected by the tragic incident.
Relatives of the victims, residents of Eruku, and many across Kwara State welcomed the development as a sign of renewed collaboration between state and federal security mechanisms to confront violent crime.
