Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun congregation in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted during a Thanksgiving service, have regained their freedom after five days in captivity. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced their release in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, on Sunday, describing it as a major relief for the state.
According to the governor, the successful rescue was achieved through the combined efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and multiple security agencies. Although details of how and where the victims were freed remain unclear, the government said the operation involved days of intense work by security operatives and representatives of the state.
In his statement, Governor AbdulRazaq expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu, noting that the president personally took charge of the response. He disclosed that President Tinubu cancelled his scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa so he could focus on the security breaches in both Kwara and Kebbi States. The president also ordered increased deployment of security personnel to Kwara as part of efforts to rescue the abductees.
The governor further thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force. He noted that, on the president’s directive, four new tactical police teams were deployed to the state to reinforce the rescue mission. AbdulRazaq also commended security personnel on the ground, community leaders, religious institutions and residents of Kwara for their support and solidarity throughout the crisis.
While celebrating the freedom of the 38 abducted church members, the governor stressed that the state’s sense of relief remains incomplete until all other abducted Nigerians — including victims in Kebbi State — are also rescued. The statement concluded with renewed assurance of the government’s continued commitment to the safety and well-being of residents.
