Checkout Magazine has learnt that the 38 worshippers abducted last week from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, Kwara State, have been freed, following days of intensified security operations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who confirmed the development in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing every Nigerian.
He said he had closely monitored the rescue efforts and coordinated the security response after cancelling his scheduled trip to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to enable me to coordinate the security efforts at home.
“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.
President Tinubu also disclosed that 51 pupils abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State had reunited with their families.
He said he had remained in constant communication with operational commanders and was tracking nationwide security updates.
Reiterating his determination, the President declared: “Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety, and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”
He commended security forces for their sacrifices and assured that the government would further strengthen intelligence gathering, rapid-response capability and inter-agency coordination in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other violent threats.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed that all 38 abductees from CAC Eruku had regained freedom.
“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, we are excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku. The abductees were freed today,” the statement reads.
The governor expressed “immense gratitude” to President Tinubu for his personal involvement, which he said played a major role in the successful rescue.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said 51 pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, escaped from their abductors and were safely back with their families.
He said some parents visited the school to report that their children had found their way home, while others were confirmed during visits by school staff to affected communities.
Providing details of the school population, the Bishop said the primary section has 430 pupils – 377 boarders and 53 non-boarders.
“Aside from the 51 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away.
“As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another three children who belong to our staff, 14 secondary pupils, making a total of 253 children, including 12 staff members, with the abductors,” he said.
Rev. Yohanna, who is also Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), urged Nigerians to remain prayerful.
