Abuja, Nigeria – In a dramatic turn of events, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced on Sunday the rescue of 38 Christians who had been abducted from a church in Eruku, Kwara State, earlier in the week. The attack, which occurred last Tuesday, also resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals.
The President shared the news via social media, stating, “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.” The attack gained widespread attention after a video surfaced online, showing the interruption of a church service by gunfire and the sounds of terrified children. The footage also depicted armed individuals pursuing churchgoers and stealing their belongings.
President Tinubu, who recently canceled all international engagements due to a surge in security incidents, did not disclose specific details regarding the perpetrators of the attack or the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation. He did, however, express his relief at the return of the rescued individuals.
Adding to the positive news, President Tinubu also confirmed that 50 students from a Catholic school in Niger State had managed to escape from their captors. “I am equally delighted at the return of 51 of the missing students from the Catholic school in Niger State,” he stated.
Earlier on Sunday, a Christian organization reported that the students were among more than 300 pupils abducted from the school last Friday. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, the students managed to escape between Friday and Saturday, eventually returning to their families. This mass abduction has drawn condemnation from international figures, including Pope Leo, who called for the immediate release of all hostages during his Sunday address in Rome. The Pope described the situation as one of the worst mass kidnappings ever recorded in Nigeria.
These incidents highlight the growing security concerns in Africa’s most populous nation, where armed groups continue to pose a significant threat to citizens and institutions.
