All 38 abducted Kwara Church worshippers have regained their freedom after days in captivity.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State announced the release of all 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area.
The freedom of the 38 abducted Kwara church worshippers came after terrorists attacked their church during a mid-week prayer service.
This was announced in a press statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Ajakaye revealed that the successful release comes following intense, coordinated efforts by Nigeria’s top security agencies.
He also revealed that the development was “wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu,” who personally directed measures to secure the abductees’ return.
“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, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State,” the statement partly said.
“The governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees. The abductees were freed today, November 23.
“The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his direct initiative that made this happen.
“The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.
“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole.
“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 freedom of the 38 abducted Kwara Church worshippers comes hours after 50 students abducted in Niger State escaped from captivity.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State confirmed that 50 Niger Catholic school students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools have escaped their captors and have been reunited with their families.
It was gathered that the 50 Niger Catholic school students regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday, returning home quietly and individually.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the 50 Niger Catholic students were part of a group of over 300 pupils, students, and teachers kidnapped in an attack on the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
