The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised fresh concerns over the lingering security gaps in the state, insisting that the safe return of the 38 abducted worshippers from Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, cannot be celebrated as a triumph without the arrest of those behind the attack.
In a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday, the party’s spokesman, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the release of the victims as a welcome relief for their families and the entire Eruku community. He applauded the coordinated efforts of security operatives and local vigilantes who, he said, demonstrated resilience in pursuing the abductors and securing the freedom of the captives.
Despite the relief, Adewara argued that the development exposes persistent shortcomings in the state’s security architecture, noting that no official briefing has confirmed whether any of the assailants were apprehended or neutralised during the rescue operation.
According to him, celebrating the return of citizens without clarity on the fate of their captors amounts to “a temporary truce with criminals”, insisting that the public deserves answers.
The opposition party pressed further, demanding transparency on whether a ransom was paid and, if so, whether public funds were involved. It also sought details on the victims’ health status, the state’s reintegration plans for them, and the broader security measures needed to avert a repeat of such attacks.
The PDP stressed that true security performance is not measured by the number of rescued victims but by the number of criminals arrested, prosecuted, and deterred from future attacks.
It maintained that until the masterminds of the Eruku incident are identified and brought to justice, communities across Kwara remain exposed to criminal networks operating with alarming boldness.
While the party acknowledged that the return of the abductees offers comfort, it warned that the absence of arrests reflects a systemic vulnerability requiring decisive government action and a future-proof security strategy anchored on vigilance, accountability, and community protection.
