November 23, (THEWILL) — Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted during a Thanksgiving service last week, have regained their freedom after five days in captivity.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed their release on Sunday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye.
Though details of the rescue operation remain unclear, the government credited the breakthrough to the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the coordinated efforts of multiple security agencies.
“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, HE AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) is excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku.
“The abductees were freed today, November 23,” the statement read.
AbdulRazaq noted that President Tinubu played a critical role, including cancelling his scheduled trip to the G20 meeting in South Africa to focus on security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.
The President also ordered reinforced security deployments across the affected areas.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Nigeria Police Force, which recently deployed four additional tactical teams to the state under the President’s directive.
He also thanked security operatives, traditional and religious leaders, and residents of Kwara for their support throughout the crisis.
The released worshippers were receiving medical attention and undergoing debriefing as investigations into the attack continue.
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