Thirty-eight worshippers abducted two weeks ago in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have officially reunited with their families.
The return followed more than a week of medical care in Ilorin after their rescue, which was coordinated by the federal government, the Kwara State Government, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The victims were formally handed over to the Executive Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Council, Gabriel Awelewa, in Ilorin on Tuesday.
They later arrived in Eruku at about 6:30 p.m., where relatives and community members received them with cheers, tears of joy, and songs of gratitude.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti Local Government Chairman, Prince Dada Sunday, Awelewa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the National Security Adviser, and all security agencies for their swift intervention.
He also commended the medical support provided to the victims and assured residents that the local administration would continue to strengthen security across all 10 wards of the council.
The Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olanrewaju, thanked the authorities involved in the rescue operation, describing the safe return of the worshippers as a significant relief to the community.
