Freed 38 Kwara church worshippers still held in Ilorin

Story by Okafor Vivian 

The 38 members of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, who were declared freed by the Kwara State Government last Sunday, have yet to be reunited with their families, findings have revealed.

The worshippers were abducted on November 18 when gunmen invaded the church during a special thanksgiving service, killing three members and injuring one. Their release was announced in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, although details of the rescue operation were not disclosed.

However, several days after the announcement, relatives of the victims say the worshippers remain in an undisclosed hotel in Ilorin, where they are undergoing medical and psychological evaluation funded by the state government.

Family members who spoke anonymously expressed deep concern over the delay, saying they had expected their loved ones to return home immediately after the government confirmed the release.

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“We miss them and hope to be reunited soon. They have called us to say they are safe, but we still need to see them. It has been emotionally draining,” one relative said.

Another family member said conflicting reports about the victims’ whereabouts had heightened anxiety within the community.

A top government official, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the abductees were still in Ilorin, explaining that their extended stay was necessary to properly assess their physical and psychological condition after the trauma they experienced. The official also stressed that no ransom was paid for their release, insisting that doing so would “send the wrong message that crime pays.”

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Efforts to get an official reaction from the state government on the delayed handover proved unsuccessful, as the Commissioner for Communication, Bolanle Olukoju, promised feedback but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.

Security sources familiar with the rescue said the victims may still be undergoing debriefing in a secure location before being cleared to return home.

Meanwhile, community members in Eruku have appealed to the government to expedite the process, noting that the worshippers’ return is crucial for collective healing after the traumatic incident.

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