The Presidency has disclosed how the federal government successfully secured the release of 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the government adopted a non-kinetic strategy to free the victims.
According to Onanuga, security operatives made direct contact with the kidnappers and demanded the immediate release of all abducted church members.
He said the bandits eventually complied because they were aware of the consequences of ignoring the government’s directive.
“After the incident, the DSS and the military took charge of the rescue effort. They contacted the bandits and insisted on the safe return of the victims. By Sunday, all 38 abductees had been released,” he revealed.
Onanuga explained that security agencies have established mechanisms for locating armed groups but often avoid direct attacks when hostages are being used as human shields to prevent casualties.
“The security agencies — without going into too much detail — have ways of tracking these criminals and monitoring their movements. What sometimes holds them back is the risk of collateral damage to civilians,” he said.
Pressed on how the release occurred without confrontation, especially after the attackers reportedly killed some victims during the assault, Onanuga maintained that the administration’s top priority was the safe rescue of all abducted persons.
“The first responsibility of government is to secure the victims’ freedom, and that objective has now been achieved. What comes next is for the security agencies to handle, and I won’t pre-empt their plans,” he added.
The worshippers were abducted on November 18 during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku.
On November 21, DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi briefed President Tinubu on the escalating security concerns across the country.
Two days later, on November 23, President Tinubu confirmed that all abducted church members had regained their freedom.
