President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the release of 38 worshippers abducted in a violent raid earlier this week on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Kwara State. The announcement came on Sunday, November 23, after a coordinated rescue operation involving security agencies and the federal government.
In a statement, Tinubu said he had been “closely monitoring the security situation nationwide,” receiving regular updates on the rescue. He expressed gratitude to the security forces, who he said worked “over the last few days” to secure the release.
“Thanks to the efforts of our security forces … all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued,” the President said. He also confirmed that 51 out of 303 students and staff abducted in a separate incident at a Catholic school in Niger State had been recovered. “Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety … Under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he added.
Governor Praises Presidential Role in Rescue
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq officially announced the freed churchgoers later on Sunday via a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. The governor credited Tinubu’s “hands-on approach” for the successful operation.
Ajakaye said the rescue was facilitated through the deployment of four specialized police units and additional military presence, under direct presidential orders. The governor also thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Security Service, the Nigerian Army, the Police Force, and other intelligence agencies for their roles.
Details of the Attack and Abduction
The church attack occurred on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, during an evening service in the Oke Isegun branch of CAC, located in Eruku, a boundary town in Kwara State’s Ekiti Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses say gunmen stormed the church, opened fire, and abducted dozens of worshippers.
Early reports estimated 35 people were missing, but a more precise headcount confirmed 38, including three non-members, according to church officials. Tragically, three people died during the attack, while at least one remained hospitalized.
Ransom Demands and Negotiations
According to traditional and community leaders, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦100 million per person, totaling ₦3.8 billion, though negotiations reportedly reduced the amount to ₦20 million per captive before communication broke off.
Trauma and Resilience
On Sunday, the CAC congregation held its first service since the attack, meeting in the same sanctuary despite visible bloodstains. During the service, church Secretary Michael Agbabiaka confirmed the number of abducted worshippers and urged calm against rumors that the figure was higher.
Presiding Pastor Bamidele Lawrence described the ordeal as a test of faith, likening it to the biblical trials of the Israelites, and reassured the congregation that divine protection had prevailed. One grieving family member, James Ige, whose wife and son were among the abducted, called on security agencies to maintain their focus until all captives were safely home.
Security Response
In response to the attack, President Tinubu ordered an immediate surge in security deployments, including the dispatch of tactical police teams, military units, and intelligence operatives to Eruku and neighboring areas. According to the governor’s office, the operation was a joint effort involving ground missions, air support, and close coordination across government and intelligence agencies.
Wider Context of Insecurity
The church abduction in Kwara comes amid growing concerns over coordinated kidnapping operations across Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions. Just days before the church attack, a mass abduction occurred at a Catholic school in Niger State, further amplifying national alarm.
The release of the 38 worshippers in Kwara is being hailed as a significant success for Nigerian security agencies and a direct result of high-level political will. President Tinubu’s decision to personally direct the response, even canceling his trip to the G20 summit, underlines the seriousness with which his administration is treating the surge in kidnappings. For the church community in Eruku, the rescue offers a painful but meaningful vindication of faith and a hard-earned reprieve.
