Presidency: DSS, Military Contacted Bandits to Secure Release of 38 Eruku Worshippers

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has disclosed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military played key roles in securing the release of the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The victims, who were kidnapped during a church programme last Tuesday, regained their freedom on Sunday, November 23, after days of intense security operations.

Speaking in an interview, Onanuga explained that security agencies established contact with the abductors as part of the efforts to ensure the victims’ safe release without endangering their lives.

“After the incident happened, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue effort. They got in contact with the bandits to release those people unharmed, and finally on Sunday, they were able to get them out,” he said.

He noted that security forces had the capacity to track the kidnappers’ movements but were cautious about launching a direct assault due to the high risk of collateral damage, as the captors often used victims as human shields.

Responding to questions on whether any deal was struck with the abductors, Onanuga clarified that the priority of the government was the safe rescue of the victims, while subsequent actions against the criminals would be handled by the security agencies.

“The first thing government has to do is to get those people freed. As a next-level action, it’s left for the security agencies to take. I don’t want to second-guess them—they know what they have to do,” he added.

Onanuga further confirmed that all 38 abducted worshippers were successfully released.

The Presidency has not disclosed additional details on the operation, citing security reasons, but assured the public that further steps will be taken to address the criminal elements behind the attack.