38 Kwara Church Worshippers Rescued Following Week-Long Captivity

Thirty-eight Nigerian Christians, abducted from a church in Eruku, Kwara State, last week, have been successfully rescued. President Bola Tinubu confirmed their freedom on Sunday, November 23, attributing the release to the diligent efforts of the nation's security forces. The worshippers had been seized during an evening program at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, on Tuesday, November 18, an incident that also resulted in two fatalities.

The abduction occurred when armed bandits attacked the church, killing two individuals and kidnapping the 38 worshippers. Reports indicated that the abductors later demanded a ransom of N100 million for each captive. It remains unclear whether any ransom was paid, as the Nigerian government maintains a policy against such payments.

President Tinubu personally announced the rescue on his official X account, stating, "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." He further assured the nation of his unwavering commitment to security, adding, "Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people." The President had reportedly cancelled a trip to the G20 summit to coordinate security efforts.

This rescue comes amidst a surge in security challenges across Nigeria, including other significant abductions during the same week. Notably, 51 out of over 300 students kidnapped from St. Mary's Private Primary and Secondary School in Niger State also regained their freedom, though many students and teachers remain captive. Additionally, 25 schoolgirls were abducted from a government secondary school in Kebbi State.

In response to the escalating insecurity, the Kwara State government ordered the closure of schools in four local government areas. President Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection for core duties and approved the recruitment of an additional 30,000 police officers. These measures underscore a renewed governmental focus on addressing the pervasive issue of banditry and kidnapping plaguing various regions of the country.