The Kwara State Government has announced the freedom of the 38 worshippers who were abducted by bandits from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku last Tuesday.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, said the churchgoers were released on Sunday.
The statement, however, did not disclose how the abductees regained their freedom.
“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, 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,” it partly read.
The state government attributed the rescue of the victims to the “hands-on approach” of President Bola Tinubu, who, it said, “personally led the efforts” to free the abductees.
“The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu 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 statement disclosed.
The governor also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police for their efforts.
“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 added.
On Tuesday, the kidnappers launched an attack at the parish, abducting 38 worshippers and killing three people during a church service.
The abduction created wide spread anger with residents blocking the Ilorin–Kabba highway at the entrance of the town.
President Tinubu had to postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg in South Africa and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on the church worshippers.
He also directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.
Meanwhile, the church held its first service on Sunday, where it clarified the actual number of victims abducted.
The Church Secretary, Mr Michael Agbabiaka, said that despite fear and trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as a show of faith and resilience.
“As you can see, only a few people are present, but we thank God for life and for strengthening us.
“We also appreciate the government for deploying security operatives who are now patrolling the town and the church,” he added.
In his sermon, the presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the incident as a test of faith and told the congregation that God promised that the abducted worshippers would return alive, likening their situation to the biblical trials of the Israelites.