All 38 individuals who were kidnapped during last week’s attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been safely released, the state government confirmed on Sunday.
The announcement came through Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, who said the release followed days of coordinated efforts by security agencies and government officials.
“The governor attributes this success to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, who personally led efforts to secure the freedom of the abductees,” Ajakaye said.
He noted that the President had postponed a scheduled G20 trip to South Africa to address security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States and had directed increased security deployments in the region.
The CPS extended the governor’s gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police for deploying four new tactical teams on presidential directive. Appreciation was also expressed to local thought leaders, religious institutions, and residents for their support during the crisis.
On Sunday, CAC Oke-Isegun held its first service since the deadly attack, which left three worshippers dead, 38 abducted, and several others injured. The service was held amid a heavy security presence, including soldiers, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara Police, and local vigilantes, as part of joint operations mandated by President Tinubu to track the attackers.
During the service, church secretary Michael Agbabiaka clarified that 38 people were kidnapped, not 60 as earlier reported on social media. He explained that the initial list included 35 members, later updated to include three non-members also taken during the attack.
Agbabiaka also revealed that the bandits initially demanded N100 million per victim but later reduced the ransom to N20 million each before communications ceased on Friday.
Despite the trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as an act of faith and resilience. Pastor Bamidele Lawrence, officiating the service, described the ordeal as a test of faith, saying he received divine assurances that all the abducted worshippers would return safely, comparing their experience to the biblical trials of the Israelites.
The congregation expressed gratitude for the safe return of the victims and for the visible presence of security operatives patrolling the town and the church.
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