By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The thirty-eight worshippers kidnapped during last week’s violent attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been released after spending five days in the hands of their abductors.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed the development on Sunday through his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye.
Although the state government credited the breakthrough to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the combined efforts of security operatives, specific details of the rescue remained unclear as of Sunday evening.
Announcing their freedom, the statement said: “After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, HE 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.”
According to the governor, the swift recovery of the victims was made possible by “the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees.”
The statement disclosed that “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 had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, which underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole.”
The governor further commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force for their roles in the operation, noting that four new tactical police teams were deployed to the state on the President’s orders.
He also extended appreciation to “members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident,” the statement concluded.