Breaking News: 38 Worshippers Abducted In Eruku, Kwara Church Attack Regain Freedom

By Joke Kujenya 

FRESH CONFIRMATION from Ilorin detailed the release of 38 worshippers abducted during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The announcement emerged through a statement from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, who conveyed that the abducted individuals regained freedom following several days of coordinated security operations across the region.

The Governor’s statement explained that the development followed sustained work by security agencies and government representatives assigned to the case.

According to the statement, the governor announced the release with emphasis on the successful rescue and noted that the abductees were freed on 23 November through efforts driven at the highest levels of government.

The details of how the rescue occurred were not disclosed in the statement, which simply affirmed the freedom of all 38 abducted worshippers.

The statement attributed the breakthrough to the direct involvement of President Bola Tinubu. Governor AbdulRazaq noted that the President took personal charge of the situation following the attack that occurred in the community days earlier.

Official communication also noted that the President cancelled his planned trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa in order to focus on the incidents in Kwara and Kebbi States, directing heightened deployments to both locations.

The statement stressed the President’s commitment to the safety of citizens, noting that the federal directive strengthened security formations in the affected community and contributed to the rescue of the abductees.

Governor AbdulRazaq also expressed appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services; the Nigerian Army; the Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement recorded that four new tactical police teams were deployed to Kwara on the President’s directive.

The Governor further thanked security personnel across formations, thought leaders, religious institutions, and residents of the state for their patience and cooperation throughout the incident.

Moreover, the government had monitored the situation from the point of the attack to the final release and ensured that all relevant agencies coordinated responses under a unified direction, according to the statement,

Earlier reports from had indicated that the abductors placed a ransom demand on each of the 38 victims.

However, information concerning whether any payment was made was not included in the official statement by the Governor’s Office. GWG.ng had also noted that the abductors initially sought N100 million per victim, though no official government communication confirmed the figure or any subsequent negotiation.

The account issued by the Governor’s Office aligned with earlier reporting that security operatives engaged in several days of operations aimed at locating and recovering the abducted worshippers.

The statement indicated that the release followed “hard work” by security forces and government representatives, without providing operational details or names of personnel involved.

The communication focused primarily on official acknowledgements and appreciation for the roles played by federal and state security structures.

Information provided before the rescue revealed that the attack occurred during a church service, with gunmen entering the community and abducting worshippers while killing several individuals.

Eyewitness accounts also described an assault carried out “suddenly and heavily armed”, prompting residents to flee towards nearby bushes as gunfire spread across the area.

One resident told the broadcaster that the attackers came around nightfall and that two individuals were killed at the scene, with uncertainty about the initial number taken away.

Other residents had also reported that the attackers demanded N3 billion for the release of the abducted persons before the reported reduction of the ransom to N760 million.

The Governor’s statement did not address ransom demands, negotiations, or whether any payment was made, sticking strictly to announcements of the release and the roles played by the federal leadership and security agencies.

Before the rescue, youth groups in Eruku staged a protest over the attack and alleged absence of immediate security response.

Protesters blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway at the entrance of the town, causing a lengthy traffic disruption while expressing concern over delayed intervention during the attack, which eyewitnesses said lasted close to an hour.

Following the attack and other incidents, President Tinubu postponed scheduled trips to Johannesburg in South Africa and Luanda, Angola.

The Presidency had disclosed that he awaited additional security briefings on the kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State and on the incident involving the worshippers in Kwara.

President Tinubu also directed police and security forces to pursue the attackers and restore calm in affected communities.

Eruku Church Holds Service After Abduction 

The church resumed its first service after the incident on Sunday.

During the service, the Church Secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, clarified the number of abducted persons, confirming the figure as 38.

He addressed the congregation, stating that attendance remained low due to trauma and fear but expressed gratitude for the safety of members and the presence of security operatives who were now patrolling the church and surrounding areas.

He noted the support of government authorities, who deployed officers across the community to stabilise the environment.

The presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, delivered a sermon that referenced the difficult period faced by the congregation.

He described the incident as a test of faith and assured worshippers that church leadership remained committed to supporting affected families while cooperating with authorities.

Community members present at the service expressed their relief at the deployment of security operatives, stating that patrol teams were visible around the community.

Local accounts indicated that residents were gradually returning to normal activities while awaiting further updates from the state government on long-term security strengthening.

The Governor’s Office concluded its statement by reiterating gratitude to all agencies involved and noting that the rescue highlighted the outcome of coordinated action by federal and state institutions.

The statement also emphasised that the government remained committed to preventing similar incidents and working with security agencies to protect communities across the state.