Jubilation has returned to the Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State following the safe return of thirty-eight worshippers who were abducted during a church service five days ago.
The victims, members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, were kidnapped by bandits during a Thanksgiving service, an incident that sparked tension across the state and drew immediate federal attention.
Their release was confirmed on Sunday, November 23, 2025, by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye.
Presidential Intervention and Cancelled G20 Trip
The rescue operation was heavily attributed to the direct involvement of the Presidency. According to the state government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a decisive step by cancelling a scheduled diplomatic engagement to focus on the security crisis.
The statement revealed that the President “called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.”
Governor AbdulRazaq noted that this sacrifice and the President’s directive for “heightened security deployments” were the game-changers that secured the freedom of the worshippers.
“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 statement read.
While details regarding the exact location of the rescue remain classified for security reasons, the operation involved a high-level synergy between multiple security outfits. The Governor expressed excitement that the “hard work by security forces and government representatives” had paid off without the loss of life.
To facilitate the rescue, the Nigeria Police Force reportedly deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State strictly on the directive of the President.
Governor AbdulRazaq extended specific appreciation to the coordinating bodies, listing the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) as key players in the operation.
Relief for the Community
The release brings a close to a traumatic five-day period for the families of the victims and the Christian community in the region.
In his statement, the Governor expressed gratitude to the President for his “direct initiative that made this happen” and thanked the people of Kwara for their solidarity.
“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.
Daniel Otera is a dedicated journalist with over four years of experience in reporting, field coverage and fact-checking. He has built a reputation for telling stories with clarity, accuracy and a strong commitment to truth. Daniel’s work focuses on bringing verified information to the public while capturing the real experiences of people on the ground.