Kwara church attack: Kidnapped worshippers released safely

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The 38 Kwara church worshippers who were abducted at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) , Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been released...

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced their freedom on Sunday afternoon, expressing thanks to President Bola Tinubu,

In a statement Rafiu Ajakaye, his Chief Press Secretary, issued on his behalf, the governor said Tinubu 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 had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and wellbeing 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; Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police, which has graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President.

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

The kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of N100 million naira for each of the victims but later lowered the figure to N20 million.

The governor did not state whether any ransom was paid.

Residents of Eruku had released a list of about 35 abducted persons, stating that the youngest was seven years old and the oldest 64, with 30 of the victims being women.

The list includes Felicia Ige (64), Timileyin Joshua (22), Elizabeth Rotimi (27), Samuel Ayodele (34), Olutokun Yetunde (23), Olutokun Janet (36), Olutokun Juwon (10), Olutokun Jumbu (12), Ebenezer Aina (24), and Titilayo Balogun (59)

Others are Opeyemi Asaba (24), Grace Balogun (62), Ayodele Taye (42), Oloke Funmilayo (42), Joseph Olaitan (24), Eniola Princess (23), Comfort Atolani (44), Joanah Atolani (7), Imole Aina (9), Moses Ojasope (12), Iyabo Ajayi (40), Adeojo Ojasope (19), Ojo Ajayi (10), Funmilayo Joshua (64) and Iyabo Michael (32).

Also listed are Bimpe Ige (20), Grace Iyabo Ige (41), Deborah Peter (38), Omolola Mustapha (40), Idowu Mustapha (17), Emmanuel Bamidele (22), Ade Ajayi (7), Foluso Caleb (42), Funmilayo Ayodele (37), Folorunso Bamidele (42), Akinola Toluwani (24) and Akinola Babalola (14).