The 38 abducted members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, rescued from bandits on Sunday, arrived at the Kwara State Government House on Monday and were received by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other senior officials.

The circumstances surrounding their release had not been disclosed by government authorities as of press time.

The victims, visibly exhausted after days in captivity, were brought in a long bus escorted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Governor AbdulRazaq briefly addressed them before they were taken to the Government House clinic for medical evaluation.

Speaking to journalists, the governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the support that facilitated their rescue, but noted that the state would not fully celebrate until the schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State are also recovered safely.

Government sources told Vanguard that the victims are expected to spend the night at the Government House before being reunited with their families in Eruku once they are medically cleared.

One of the rescued worshippers, Bamidele Emmanuel, described the attack as traumatic, recalling that gunmen stormed the church shortly after a thanksgiving service began.

“They surrounded the church. Three people were killed and some were injured,” he said, adding that the abductors marched the victims deep into the forest and warned them against escape attempts.

The Kwara State Government said it is monitoring the victims’ recovery as nationwide efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi.