Relief swept through Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday after 38 abducted church worshippers were rescued by security operatives in a coordinated operation backed by the Federal Government.
The victims, members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, were kidnapped on November 18, 2025, during a church programme, sparking days of anxiety across the state.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, announced the breakthrough and attributed the success of the rescue operation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decisive and hands-on intervention. According to the governor, President Tinubu personally supervised the efforts to secure the freedom of the abductees, demonstrating what he described as an unwavering commitment to citizens’ safety.
The statement revealed that President Tinubu cancelled his scheduled attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa to respond to security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States. He immediately directed heightened deployments of security personnel to the affected areas, signalling a clear prioritisation of national security over international engagements.
Governor AbdulRazaq noted that the rescue was the result of “many days of hard work” involving multiple security agencies and government representatives. He highlighted the contributions of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Nigeria Police Force, which deployed four additional tactical teams to Kwara on the President’s orders.
According to the governor, the successful operation not only restored hope to the affected families but also reinforced the growing coordination and responsiveness of Nigeria’s security architecture under the current administration. He emphasised that the swift rescue effort reflects a renewed sense of urgency in confronting violent crimes, particularly in communities vulnerable to bandit attacks.
AbdulRazaq also extended gratitude to traditional rulers, community leaders, religious organisations and residents of the state for their solidarity and support throughout the ordeal. He said their cooperation with security agencies helped maintain calm while the rescue mission was underway.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening local security structures and working closely with the Federal Government to prevent future incidents. He stressed that the safety of citizens remains paramount and that every available resource will continue to be deployed to protect communities across Kwara State.
With the worshippers now reunited with their families, the rescue marks one of the most coordinated and rapid responses to a mass abduction in recent times, offering renewed confidence in ongoing efforts to curb insecurity nationwide.
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