By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, November 23, announced the release of 38 persons who were abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area, on Tuesday, November 18.
In a statement, his Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, said the safe rescue of the abductees was due to the efforts of security forces.
The statement also quoted the president as expressing happiness over the return of 51 of the students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State in the early hours of Friday, November 21.
“Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued.
“I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State have been recovered,” the statement read.
Similarly, Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed the kidnapped Eruku worshippers’ rescue in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Sunday.
According to the statement, the abductees’ release was secured through the joint efforts of federal authorities and security agencies.
It read: “After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, Governor 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, Kwara State.”
The governor also credited President Bola Tinubu for his hands-on involvement in the rescue operation.
It also highlighted that the President had postponed his scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to personally oversee security measures in Kwara and Kebbi states.
AbdulRazaq further thanked federal security agencies and local forces involved in the operation, as well as other stakeholders whose support aided the rescue efforts.
The statement read, “The governor also expresses appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; the Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police, which has graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President.”
The Secretary of CAC, Oke Isegun, Michael Agbabiaka, also confirmed that the Department of State Services contacted the community around 4:00 p.m. to inform them that the captives had been freed.
Agbabiaka noted that the community was anxiously awaiting their arrival back home to be reunited with their families.
He said: “Yes, they told us that the abductees have been freed. We are waiting for them to be brought back to the community. Our people are eager to see them alive and safe.”
Recall that during a special service for the repose of those killed during the attack and prayer for the safe return of kidnapped members on Sunday, the presiding pastor of the church, Bamidele Lawrence, urged the congregation not to lose hope.
In his sermon on Sunday, and the first since the abduction, Lawrence described the attack as a test of faith for the congregation.
