Thirty-eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted during a bandit attack on the church’s thanksgiving service, have regained their freedom after five days in captivity.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced their release in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye.

Although details of the rescue operation remain sketchy as of press time, the state government credited the successful release to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the efforts of multiple security agencies.

The statement reads:

“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) is excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State.

“The Governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who personally led the efforts to free the abductees.

“The abductees were freed today, November 23. The Governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his direct initiative that made this happen.

“The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States. He also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, underscoring his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole.

“The Governor also expresses appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; the Nigerian Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police, which deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President.

“The Governor further thanks members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident.”