Kwara Governor Announces Release of 38 Church Abduction Victims After Coordinated Security Operation

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has confirmed the release of all 38 people abducted during the recent attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, located in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

The announcement was made on Sunday through a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. According to the statement, the victims regained their freedom after days of intense efforts by security agencies and government officials.

Governor AbdulRazaq attributed the successful rescue operation to President Bola Tinubu’s direct involvement, noting that the President took personal charge of the situation to ensure the abductees were freed. He recalled that President Tinubu even suspended his planned trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to oversee security interventions in Kwara and Kebbi states.

The governor also expressed gratitude to various federal security bodies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police, which deployed four new tactical units to the state.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of CAC Oke Isegun, Michael Agbabiaka, confirmed the development, revealing that the DSS notified the community around 4 pm about the release. He said residents are eagerly awaiting the safe return of the victims.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, left three worshippers dead and 38 others kidnapped, sparking nationwide outrage and concerns over rising banditry near Kwara’s borders with Kogi and Niger. The rescue followed a large-scale search operation involving military personnel, DSS operatives, tactical police units, and local vigilantes.