Thirty-eight worshippers kidnapped in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been safely reunited with their families following days of uncertainty and tension within the community.
The victims, who were taken during a church thanksgiving service on November 18, 2025, were officially handed over to Ekiti LGA Chairman, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, in Ilorin after government authorities confirmed their rescue. The operation, according to officials, involved collaboration between federal and state security agencies.
The handover, conducted by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, signified the conclusion of what authorities described as a “coordinated and sustained” rescue effort. Chairman Awelewa expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the involved security formations for what he termed a decisive intervention. He also noted that the abductees received medical evaluations and stabilisation before being released to their families.
Upon their arrival back in Eruku at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, residents filled the streets to welcome them home. Community leaders, including the Owa of Eruku, described the reunion as a major relief, emphasizing that the town had lived in fear and emotional distress since the attack, which also resulted in fatalities and injuries.
Security analysts note that this incident adds to a growing list of abduction cases recorded in border communities within Kwara, especially in Ekiti LGA. The persistent attacks have renewed calls for strengthened security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained collaboration between local vigilantes and formal security agencies.
Local authorities have pledged to reinforce community security networks and adopt preventive measures to reduce vulnerabilities in rural settlements
