Freed 38 Eruku Catholic Church Members Yet to Reunite with Families
Though 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, were officially declared freed last Sunday, they remain in custody of state authorities in Ilorin and have not yet reunited with their families.
The victims—among them women and children, aged as young as seven and as old as 64—were abducted on the evening of November 18, 2025, during a thanksgiving service at their church. The attack left at least three worshippers dead and several injured, as gunmen stormed the gathering and opened fire before taking dozens of congregants away.
The state government confirmed that the abductees were freed on November 23 and transported to Ilorin under the escort of security agents. They were immediately taken to a government clinic for medical check-ups, where some were reported weak and dehydrated after days in captivity.
At the time of their release, the Governor expressed gratitude to federal and state security agencies, including the DSS, the Army, the Police, and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, highlighting their combined efforts as critical to the operation’s success.
Security officials explained that the rescue was primarily non-violent: by tracking the kidnappers and applying pressure, the captors were compelled to release the hostages without confrontation.
However, despite these statements, residents of Eruku and relatives of the freed worshippers complain that they have not yet been reunited with their loved ones, who remain in an undisclosed location in Ilorin for “medical evaluation.”
The delay has fueled anxiety and frustration in the community, which had hoped for a swift return.
As of now, the state government has not provided a timeline for when the 38 freed victims will be reunited with their families, nor given a full explanation for their continued detention.
Meanwhile, church leaders, community elders, and residents continue to appeal for their immediate return so families can begin the recovery process.
