Tinubu reacts to rescue of kidnapped Kwara church worshippers
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed excitement over the rescue of 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, and the return of 51 students kidnapped in a Catholic School in Niger State.
In a message to Nigerians issued on Sunday via X, the President recalled cancelling his scheduled trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to personally coordinate ongoing security operations. According to him, that decision was necessary to ensure focused and immediate action.
Tinubu confirmed that all 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, were freed after coordinated security efforts.
He also announced the return of 51 students from the Catholic school in Niger State who were kidnapped by armed groups.
The President said he is closely monitoring security developments nationwide and continues to receive real-time updates from operational teams in affected areas.
Reaffirming his commitment, Tinubu stated: “Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”.
His message comes at a time when many Nigerians are anxious about rising insecurity, and the government faces increasing pressure to strengthen its response.
On Tuesday, some worshippers were abducted when bandits attacked a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Oke Isegun in the Eruku community, a boundary town with Kogi in the Ekiti LGA of Kwara state.
A video of the attack, captured during a live stream, shows the worshippers conducting a service when sporadic gunshots were heard from around the church premises.
The congregation, led by a young pastor, scampered for safety as the gunshots intensified, after which some bandits were seen entering the church. The attack reportedly happened at about 6 pm.
Similarly, in the wee hours of Friday, bandits kidnapped 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s School in the Papiri community of Agwara LGA in Niger State.
While the president claimed 51 students returned, the Niger State chapter of CAN and the Catholic bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said only 50 students returned and reunited with their parents.
He said pupils regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday and “quietly reunited with their families.”
According to Yohanna, the students who escaped were unable to return to the school immediately, prompting officials to contact parents to confirm their whereabouts.
“The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped,” the statement reads.
