Tinubu Hails Rescue of 38 Kidnapped Kwara Churchgoers

In a heart-stopping twist amid Nigeria's relentless security woes, all 38 worshippers snatched from a Sunday service at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, are now free, unscathed after five grueling days in the bush.

The nightmare unfolded on November 18, 2025, around 6 p.m., during a joyous thanksgiving service at the Oke-Isegun branch in Ekiti Local Government Area. About 10 armed bandits stormed the blood-stained auditorium, guns blazing, killing two congregants outright and dragging away 38 souls, including non-members caught in the chaos. Church secretary Michael Agbabiaka later confirmed the tally after sifting through initial reports of 35, debunking wild rumors of over 60 abductions.

Whispers of a staggering ransom demand, 100 million naira ($69,000) per victim circulated like wildfire, fueling fears of a drawn-out ordeal. But President Bola Tinubu, ditching his G20 trip to South Africa, orchestrated a high-stakes response from Abuja. "I cancelled to coordinate efforts at home," he posted on X Sunday, crediting the Army, Police, DSS, NIA, and National Security Adviser for the flawless op.

Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq beamed with praise for Tinubu's "hands-on approach," noting four new police tactical teams rushed in on presidential orders. Over 900 troops sealed the Kwara-Kogi border, combing forests with vigilantes in a no-holds-barred hunt. No arrests yet, but investigations probe the shadowy culprits.

By Sunday morning, November 23, Eruku erupted in wild jubilation, families hugging, tears flowing, as the freed faithful reunited. One distraught husband, James Ige, whose wife and son vanished, collapsed in relief. Presiding pastor Bamidele Lawrence called it a "test of faith," claiming divine whispers assured their safety.

Yet, amid the cheers, quiet doubts linger: Was ransom quietly paid? Why no bandit scalps? This rescue, alongside 51 Niger State schoolgirls' escape, spotlights Tinubu's vow, "Every Nigerian deserves safety" but Nigeria's kidnapping epidemic rages on, leaving communities whispering for more than miracles.