In an intense drama that has riveted Nigeria, 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, have been safely freed — and the presidency says it happened without a dime in ransom paid. According to the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Department of State Services (DSS) and military directly contacted the kidnappers and forced their hand through a combination of intelligence, tactical pressure, and real-time tracking.
The Kidnapping That Shook Eruku
The attack took place during a service at CAC Oke Isegun in the Eruku community of Ekiti LGA, when heavily armed gunmen stormed in, killed congregants, and abducted dozens.
Initially, reports said around 30 to 35 people were taken, but church officials later confirmed the number was 38.
Terrifyingly, the attackers began communicating with families using the phones of the abductees. They reportedly split the hostages into groups and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million per person, which would total over ₦3 billion.
This ransom demand sparked alarm in the community. Relatives and local leaders lamented the audacity of the kidnappers and called for urgent government intervention.
The Government Steps In
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State announced the release on November 23, thanking President Bola Tinubu for taking a “hands-on” role in securing the freedom of the abductees.
The governor further expressed gratitude toward several security agencies:
- The DSS
- The Nigerian Army
- The Nigerian Intelligence Agency
- The Nigeria Police, which deployed four new tactical teams in response to the crisis
According to the presidency, the DSS and military used real-time tracking to monitor the kidnappers. Through coordinated intelligence and psychological pressure, they contacted the criminals, “demanded” the immediate release of the hostages, and ultimately compelled them to release all 38.
Crucially, the presidency insisted that no ransom was paid, framing the operation as a major success for security architecture and a demonstration that Nigeria can locate and confront kidnapping syndicates without resorting to ransom payments.
After the Rescue: Care and Recovery
When the rescued worshippers returned, they were received by Governor AbdulRazaq and senior state officials at the Kwara Government House.
They were visibly shaken — many looked exhausted from their ordeal — and were immediately given medical attention in the government house clinic.
One of the freed congregants, Bamidele Emmanuel, shared a harrowing account of the attack: gunmen surrounded the church, opened fire, and then marched their captives into the bush, warning them not to try escaping.
What It All Means: Strategic Implications
This operation has wider implications for how Nigeria handles kidnappings:
- Intelligence-Driven Approach: The DSS and military’s use of real-time tracking suggests an increasingly sophisticated reliance on actionable intelligence. Rather than brute force, they leaned on surveillance, negotiation, and psychological pressure.
- No Ransom Precedent: The claim that no ransom was paid is politically significant. It sends a message: kidnappers cannot always expect to cash in, especially when the state is willing to push back strongly.
- Presidential Commitment: President Tinubu’s direct involvement, including postponing a trip to focus on security breaches, underscores how politically sensitive such incidents are.
- Community Trust & Morale: The successful release — even without full transparency on how it was done — may boost public confidence in government capacity. However, many will want more detail: how exactly was this “forced” release achieved, and what follow-up action will be taken against the kidnappers?
- Ongoing Risk: While the 38 have been freed, it’s far from over: the network behind the abduction may still be active, and the government’s next move (whether arrest, climbdown, or continued negotiation) will be critical.
Challenges & Questions Ahead
- Transparency: The presidency’s account lacks some specifics. Which units were involved? What kind of “psychological pressure” was applied? Were there guarantees given to the kidnappers?
- Accountability: So far, no public announcement of arrests. Will the security agencies follow through and dismantle the criminal cell behind this?
- Prevention: This attack highlights deep security vulnerabilities in religious spaces, especially in rural areas. What long-term reforms will be implemented to protect communities?
- Narrative Risk: By emphasizing a “zero-ransom” rescue, the government may raise expectations for similar outcomes in future kidnappings. That could create pressure — but also backfire if things go wrong.
