News

38 Abducted Kwara Church Worshippers Have Regained Freedom — Gov AbdulRazaq

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

Admin

The Kwara State Government has announced the release of the 38 worshippers who were abducted by bandits from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the worshippers were released on Sunday.

The statement, however, did not disclose how the abductees regained their freedom.

“After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State,” it partly read.

The state government attributed the rescue of the victims to the “hands-on approach” of President Bola Tinubu, who, it said, “personally led the efforts” to free the abductees.

“The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu for his direct initiative that made this happen.

“The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi states.

“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” the statement disclosed.

The governor also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police for their efforts.

“The governor also thanks members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident,” the statement added.

Deadly Attack

Gunmen had last Tuesday launched an attack at the parish, abducting 38 worshippers and killing three people during a church service.

Eyewitnesses in the community told Channels Television that the attackers stormed the area “suddenly and heavily armed,” forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.

“They came around nightfall and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken,” one resident said.

The bandits had demanded ₦3 billion for the release of the victims, but later reduced the ransom to ₦760 million.

Protest

Irked by the attack, youths in the community staged a protest.

The protesters, who blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway at the entrance of the town, causing heavy traffic disruption, alleged that last Tuesday’s attack, which lasted close to an hour, occurred without any response from security operatives stationed in the community.

In response to the attack and others, President Tinubu postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg in South Africa and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on the church worshippers.

He also directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.

First Service

The church held its first service on Sunday, where it clarified the actual number of victims abducted.

The Church Secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, said that despite fear and trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as a show of faith and resilience.
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‎“As you can see, only a few people are present, but we thank God for life and for strengthening us.

“We also appreciate the government for deploying security operatives who are now patrolling the town and the church,” he added.
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In his sermon, the presiding pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the incident as a test of faith and told the congregation that God promised that the abducted worshippers would return alive, likening their situation to the biblical trials of the Israelites.

News

Ekiti PDP Primary: Court adjourns suit against Oluyede’s victory to Dec 8

Published

8 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has adjourned the case instituted against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Wole Oluyede till December 8, 2025, for further hearing.

Oluyede had emerged winner of the gubernatorial primary election conducted on November 8, 2025, by the Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo-led electoral committee.

Oluyede got 279 votes to defeat Funsho Ayeni and Mrs Funmi Ogun.

In the suit numbered FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Ayeni is challenging Oluyede’s victory in the primary election

During the hearing on Friday, Kola Kolade, SAN, led other lawyers to represent Ayeni while Ola Olanipekun, SAN, and Barrister Owoseni Ajayi represented Oluyede.

The Osun State Legal Adviser of the party, Barrister Ola Alonge held brief for the PDP.

After listening to submissions by the parties, Justice Babs Ikuewumi declared that he would ensure speedy hearing of the case.

The judge adjourned the matter to December 8, 2025 for further hearing.

News

PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

See photos:

News

“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.