Thirty-eight church members who were abducted during a violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have been released, bringing relief to their families and the wider community after days of coordinated rescue operations by security forces and government officials.
The victims were kidnapped on November 18th, 2025, when ten armed men stormed the church during an evening service, opening fire on worshippers and throwing the congregation into chaos. The attackers killed several people, including the church pastor, before abducting 38 others—most of them women, with the youngest victim said to be just seven years old and the oldest 64.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed the release of the abducted worshippers on Sunday, November 23rd, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. Governor AbdulRazaq attributed the successful rescue operation to “the hands-on approach” of President Bola Tinubu, saying: “The release is wholly due to his direct initiative.” The governor further expressed appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police, which had “graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President.”
President Tinubu, who cancelled his trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to oversee the situation, also confirmed the release of all abducted worshippers. “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,” the president said in an official statement.
The governor thanked religious institutions, thought leaders, and all residents of Kwara for their “support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident.” He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to restoring calm and ensuring the safety of residents, declaring, “Our government will not leave any stone unturned to return total calm in Eruku. You are not alone.”
The freed abductees’ return marks a significant milestone for the affected community, where church services have already resumed. In one emotional gathering, a preacher reportedly told his congregation, “God’s judgment will descend on the terrorists who attacked the congregation and took lives,” underscoring the community’s resilience and faith in the face of tragedy.
National attention remains focused on the broader security challenges faced by communities along the Kwara–Kogi border axis, as locals and state officials call for continued vigilance and long-term strategies to prevent future incidents.
