The thirty-eight members of the congregation abducted by bandits during the Thanksgiving service attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, 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.
The state government attributed the victims’ release to the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies, but details of how and where the congregation was rescued remained sketchy at press time.
The statement reads: “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 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, which 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 Nigerian 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 Governor also thanks members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident, “the statement concluded.
Vanguard