Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has shed new light on how security operatives secured the release of the 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Onanuga explained that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military managed to track the kidnappers’ movements and establish direct contact with them. According to him, the abductors were not armed at the time security agencies closed in, which made negotiations more straightforward.
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He said the bandits ultimately obeyed the security agencies’ demand to release the captives because “they knew the consequences of refusing.” Onanuga stressed that the central objective was to recover the hostages alive, noting that kidnappers often use abducted civilians as human shields—a situation that makes any exchange of gunfire extremely dangerous.
When asked whether the government offered any form of deal or concession, Onanuga avoided giving specifics. He explained that rescuing the victims was the government’s immediate concern, while issues such as arrests, prosecutions, or follow-up operations would be handled solely by the security agencies.
“All 38 abducted worshippers were released safely,” he confirmed, praising the careful intelligence gathering and strategic engagement that guided the rescue effort.
The Eruku abduction, which had drawn national attention, occurred during an evening church service. The successful recovery of the victims, according to Onanuga, highlights the growing emphasis on intelligence-led operations in tackling kidnappings across the country.
