Thirty-eight persons who were seized during an armed attack on a church gathering in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have been released following a coordinated security operation that involved multiple federal and state agencies.
The victims were rescued after days of sustained field activity led by intelligence units, tactical teams and military personnel deployed to the affected communities.
Security sources confirmed that the operation combined surveillance, ground pursuit and local support networks to track the movement of the abductors across difficult terrain.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced the development on Sunday, describing the outcome as a relief for the state and a demonstration of strengthened federal support in addressing insecurity.
He commended national security institutions for the level of coordination displayed throughout the operation.
According to the Governor, the rescue mission benefited from direct involvement of the Presidency, with President Bola Tinubu receiving regular briefings and issuing strategic directives to reinforce the search.
The federal government had earlier approved the deployment of additional tactical units to the state, including specialised police squads and intelligence teams, to accelerate the process.
Security authorities, working with local operatives, intensified pressure on the kidnappers within days of the attack. The operation reportedly covered large sections of forested areas linking Kwara to neighbouring Kogi and Niger states, regions that have recently recorded rising criminal activity.
Community leaders also confirmed that security officials reached out to them with information about the victims’ release. Families of the abducted worshippers have been on standby awaiting their safe return to the community for medical checks and reunification.
The attack, which occurred during a church programme earlier in the week, resulted in multiple casualties and triggered strong public reactions across the state.
The incident renewed calls for heightened security presence around vulnerable border communities that have increasingly come under pressure from armed groups.
Government officials stated that follow-up operations are ongoing to dismantle the network responsible for the assault and to prevent similar incidents.
Security agencies have also been tasked to maintain reinforced surveillance across major routes and settlements bordering neighbouring states.
The release of the 38 worshippers marks one of the most significant rescue outcomes recorded in the state in recent months and comes amid broader national efforts to strengthen early-response mechanisms to violent attacks.