DSS, military contacted bandits to release Kwara church worshippers, says Tinubu’s Spokesman
*As concerned Nigerians question government’s refusal to accept Northern leaders’ input to finding lasting solution
By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTERS
“The security agencies have a way of contacting these people. They (bandits) know the consequences of not acquiescing to government demands. They know they could be pummelled.”
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has explained how non-kinetic approach was deployed in securing the release of the 38 worshippers seized by bandits from church service in Kwara State, recently.
The victims were abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Eruku community of Kwara on Tuesday November 18, 2025.
On Friday November 21, Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), briefed President Tinubu on the security crisis enveloping the nation.
On Sunday November 23, Tinubu announced that all the abductees had been released.
“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 president announced in a statement.
“I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.
“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”
The presidency and the military have been mum on how the captives were set free or if any ransom was paid.
Tinubu’s Spokesman explains
Speaking on ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, on Monday, Onanuga said the release was thanks to the DSS and the military.
He added that the gunmen knew that if they did not cooperate, they were going to be “pummelled”.
“After the incident, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue effort. They got in contact with the bandits to release the captives unharmed,” the president’s spokesperson said.
“On Sunday, they were able to get them out unharmed. They do have a way of tracking these people.
“The security agencies have a way of contacting these people. They (bandits) know the consequences of not acquiescing to government demands. They know they could be pummelled.”
Onanuga added that a kinetic approach would have been counter-productive because terrorists often use abductees as “human shields” which could result in “collateral damage”.
“Attacking their base could be risky because you can kill the civilians,” he added.
The presidential aide also said the military will decide “the next line of action” on the kidnappers.
From anonymous suggestions, Nigerians have been warned to stop castigating their own government for whatever means it takes to ensure peace, even if it means dialoguing with the bandits.
One the concerned Nigerians, however, said, “The only thing that is unacceptable when the cause of the insecurity is known to come from government’s ineptitude. You cannot handle Lagos and parts of South West the way non-state actors are now more powerful than constitutional security agents and you want to earn public trust on your claim of innocence over the increasing problems we face now in the country.
“Otherwise, Nigerians should always agree with their government on whatever way of solution it efficiently toes. The government should also listen to al the regions how the security challenges in their respective areas can be resolved. Only the people have solution to their own problems but the political will power to let the solution happen is with the government.
“But when the people see how ethnic backgrounds or personal political interest of the politicians in outer have caused the challenges, solution to the problems will be hard because the public trust to achieve that seamlessly has lost.”
