Nigerian social media users have expressed outrage over the government’s failure to apprehend the kidnappers responsible for abducting worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State, as well as its silence on ensuring justice following the release of the victims.
President Bola Tinubu, supported by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, confirmed the release of the abducted worshippers in separate statements.
Tinubu said, “You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to enable me coordinate the security efforts at home.
“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.
“I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered.
“I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.”
However, the statements made no reference to any arrests or efforts to bring the kidnappers to justice.
As a result, many Nigerian social media users are demanding clarification from the government on whether any suspects were apprehended during the rescue, while others are speculating that ransom payments may have been involved.
An X user with the handle @_AsiwajuLerry wrote: “It is not enough that the abducted victims are released, we need to know how they were released and what happened to their abductors. If you are going to be accountable, at least be 100% while at it.”
Another user, @Benking443, wrote: “He didn’t say anything about the abductors. You rescued over 80 persons from their kidnappers and no news about whether or not they were caught or killed. It means you’ve paid heavy ransom for their release. Nigerian govt is paying ransom to Fulani bandits. We’re not safe in this country.”
User @isleofskincare wrote, “Sir, this is not update enough. When Charlie Kirk was shot, did you see how President trump released updates in details? Did you see how the FBI dropped evidences of how they caught the shooter? How can you just give a vague statement without details? How were they released? What happened to the abductors? How will justice be served?”
Another X user, Duchess of Ile-Ife, raised concerns about potential ransom payments and the consequences of empowering kidnappers.
“The question I have is, I hope we are not paying these bandits? Because we are not seeing situation reports of annihilation of their base of operations if those abducted were rescued. Paying them is strengthening them,” the X user’s post said.
User @premier_100 also questioned the government’s account, saying, “All the 38 were recovered but nothing happened to the terrorists who abducted them. And you want us to believe you didn’t negotiate or pay ransom? Who knows when they will come back to kidnap more or where else they will attack? Get it together, Mr. President.”
Earlier on Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that service had resumed at the Kwara church following the recent attack.
On November 18, ten armed men stormed the church during an evening service, shooting at worshippers. Thirty-eight members were abducted, and several were killed, including the pastor.
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