ABUJA: Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga says security agencies adopted a non-kinetic strategy to secure the release of 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku community in Kwara state.
The worshippers were kidnapped on November 18, prompting intense security briefings to President Bola Tinubu.
On November 21, DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi updated the president on the growing wave of attacks across the country. Two days later, Tinubu announced that all the abducted victims had regained freedom.
According to Onanuga, the successful rescue was achieved after the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military established direct contact with the kidnappers.
Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, Onanuga explained that the abductors knew the consequences of defying security agencies, which compelled them to cooperate.
After the incident, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue effort. They contacted the bandits an
d secured the safe release of all captives, he said.
The security agencies have ways of tracking and reaching these people. The bandits also knew they would be heavily pummelled if they didn’t comply.
He added that launching a military assault on the kidnappers’ hideout would have endangered the worshippers, as terrorists often use abductees as human shields.
A full kinetic operation could have led to collateral damage, he noted.
The military will decide the next steps regarding the perpetrators.
President Tinubu, in his earlier statement, vowed that every Nigerian has the right to safety and pledged that his administration would not back down in restoring security nationwide.
