The federal government, through direct contact by security forces with bandits, secured the release of 38 Christians abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Kwara, without paying any ransom, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said.
The presidency has detailed how security operatives secured the safe release of 38 Christians kidnapped during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State.
Speaking on Arise TV, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said, “After the incident happened, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue as they got in contact with the bandits to release those people unharmed.” He explained that the government did not pay the abductors, noting that a direct military strike on their base would have risked the lives of the hostages.
Onanuga highlighted the security agencies’ ability to track the bandits and monitor the situation in real time, adding, “What sometimes restrains them from going after the terrorists is the risk of collateral damage. You know they go about abducting our people and use them as shields.”
Labour Party chieftain Peter Obi praised the government and security agencies for the rescue operation and urged intensified efforts to free others still in captivity.