The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church sparked outrage and protests in the community.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has welcomed 38 worshippers rescued from a brutal attack on a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku.
At the Government House clinic, where medical personnel attended to the victims, many appeared exhausted and traumatized.
One of the freed worshippers described the ordeal as harrowing, explaining the difficulty of escaping the bandits’ grip. The state provided medical care, water, and food for the victims, with the most vulnerable taken to the hospital.
Pastors of the church expressed gratitude to the federal and state governments for the release of the worshippers.
Governor Abdulrazaq, during his visit to the clinic, spoke with victims and assessed their condition. He noted that while the release was a positive development, other captives remain in various states.
He thanked President Ahmed Tinubu for his role in securing the release of the captives.
The state government announced the release on Sunday, but details on how the victims regained freedom were not disclosed.
Gunmen had attacked the parish last Tuesday, abducting 38 worshippers and killing three during a church service. Eyewitnesses described the assailants as “heavily armed” and said many residents fled into nearby bushes for safety.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ₦3 billion ransom but later reduced it to ₦760 million. The incident sparked protests by angry youths in the community.
In response, President Tinubu postponed trips to Johannesburg and Luanda to receive security briefings on the abductions, including the Kebbi schoolgirls case, and directed the police to pursue the attackers.
Before the rescue announcement, the church held its first service since the attack. Church Secretary Michael Agbabiaka confirmed the number of victims and encouraged members to attend the service, demonstrating faith and resilience.
Pastor Bamidele Lawrence described the ordeal as a test of faith, assuring the congregation that God had promised the safe return of the abducted worshippers, likening the incident to the biblical trials of the Israelites.