Breaking....38 abducted Kwara worshippers freed after five days in captivity

By Ade Ade

Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted by armed men during a thanksgiving service last week, have regained their freedom.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced their release on Sunday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye.

According to the statement, the successful rescue followed days of coordinated efforts by security agencies, with the state government attributing the breakthrough to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Details of how and where the victims were freed remained unclear as of press time.

“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, Ekiti LGA,” the statement said.

The Governor commended President Tinubu for what he described as a “hands-on approach” that contributed significantly to securing the release of the abductees. He revealed that the President had cancelled a scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to address security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi states, and also ordered enhanced security deployments to the affected areas.

AbdulRazaq also expressed appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force, which recently deployed four tactical teams to the state on the President’s directive.

He further thanked security operatives, community leaders, religious bodies, and residents of the state for their support throughout the ordeal.

The victims were freed on Sunday, November 23.