The Kwara State government has announced the rescue of 38 persons abducted by bandits during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
Similarly, 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered.
In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the rescue.
“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”, he said.
Continuing, he said, “After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, Governor 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 Kwara.
“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 wellbeing of our people and Nigerians as a whole.”
The Governor also expressed appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; 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 Governor also thanked members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident.
Confirming their release in a post on his verified X handle, Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu wrote:
“My fellow Nigerians,
“You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to enable me coordinate the security efforts at home.
“Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued.
“I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered.
“I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.
“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”