Rescue of 38 Eruku worshipers, 50 Niger pupils shows security agencies working – Tinubu

The swift rescue of dozens of abducted Nigerians in Kwara and Niger states is proof that ongoing security operations are yielding critical results, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared.

The 38 persons were abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, in Ekiti local government area of Kwara state, while over 300 got missing following their kidnap by gunmen in Papiri Catholic school in Agwara local government of Niger state Friday. 

The recovery of the abductees, Tinubu said, underscores his administration’s determination to safeguard every citizen across the country.

The president, who said this Sunday in an official statement in Abuja, noted that he had cancelled his attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa to personally oversee national security coordination amid multiple incidents unfolding across several states.

He said the decisions taken over the last few days were aimed at strengthening joint commands, fast-tracking intelligence deployment and ensuring rapid tactical responses to threats.

"You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to enable me to coordinate the security efforts at home.

“Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued.

“I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State have been recovered.

“I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.

“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he said.

Also announcing the rescue of the 38 abducted worshippers, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said this was “wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees”

“The abductees were freed today, November 23. The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his direct initiative that made this happen,” the elated governor said on Sunday in a statement by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“The president had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi states.  

“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” the governor added.

He also expressed “appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police, which has graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara s\State on the directive of the President. 

“The governor also thanked members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident.”

Meanwhile, prior to their rescue, adherents at the CAC Oke Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti, had earlier on Sunday, observed the church’s first service after last Tuesday’s attack that left three worshippers dead and dozens abducted.

The daily beacon reports that church leaders and few congregation members, amidst fear and trauma, converged to conduct the first service inside the blood-stained auditorium where the attack occurred.

It was a service dominated by prayers for the release of the kidnapped worshippers and the repose of the souls of the deceased as worshippers, in pensive mood, prayed fervently for God’s intervention. 

During the service, the church’s secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, formally confirmed that 38 persons were abducted.

He said the church initially compiled 35 names, but later identified three additional non-members who were also kidnapped during the siege.

“Rumours that over 60 people were abducted are not true. We have 38 people still in the bush. Three people died, and one is in the hospital receiving treatment. I have their names and phone numbers we don’t want misinformation”, he told reporters.

Agbabiaka further disclosed that the bandits initially demanded N100 million per victim, but the ransom was negotiated down to N20 million each before communication with the abductors broke off on Friday.

He added that despite the accompanying fear and trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as a show of faith and resilience.

“As you can see, only a few people are present, but we thank God for life and for strengthening us. We also appreciate the government for deploying security operatives who are now patrolling the town and the church,” he said.

Earlier in his sermon, the presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the incident as a test of faith and revealed that he received divine assurances regarding the safety of the kidnapped.

He told the congregation that God promised the abducted worshippers would return alive, likening their situation to the biblical trials of the Israelites.

One worshipper, James Ige, whose wife and son were among those kidnapped, appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, saying his family’s fate rests on the government’s ability to act swiftly.

Blueprint reports that following the attack, there had been massive deployment of security operatives across Eruku, including soldiers, the Special Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara Police command, and local vigilantes.

The deployment follows directives by President Tinubu ho mandated joint operations to track the attackers and rescue the victims.

In a related development, 50 pupils abducted by gunmen in a Catholic school in Niger state, have escaped and reunited with their families while 253 children are still in captivity. 

The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter and the school’s proprietor, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, stated this Sunday in an update on the situation. 

 Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, explained that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday. 

In an update issued by his media aide, Dan Atori, the school owner said: “This is to notify the public that as at Sunday 23rd November, 2025 we have received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents.

“Currently, aside the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.”

He explained that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday, and had since reunited with their parents, adding that “we were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.”

The proprietor said the primary section has total number of 430 pupils out of which 377 of them are “boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders.”

“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” the school said.

He called on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as they continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.