The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has welcomed the safe return of the 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, but has accused the state government of evading accountability and failing to tackle the underlying security crisis that made the kidnapping possible.
The victims were seized last week when gunmen attacked the church in Eruku, a community that shares a border with Kogi State.President Bola Tinubu announced on Sunday that all 38 abducted persons had been rescued.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq subsequently issued a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, crediting the success entirely to the President’s “personal, hands-on leadership” of the operation.
Reacting on Monday, Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, described the governor’s statement as an attempt to “distribute gratitude to Abuja” while ignoring glaring security lapses in the state.
While rejoicing with the families and the Eruku community, and commending the security agencies and local vigilantes for their efforts, the PDP insisted that the safe return of the victims does not absolve the government of responsibility.
Adewara said the state government must immediately tell the people whether any of the bandits were arrested or killed during the operation, whether ransom was paid and, if so, from which funds, the current condition of the freed worshippers and what rehabilitation support is being provided, and what new measures have been put in place to stop a repeat attack.
He argued that a government that celebrates the release of hostages without arresting and publicly parading their captors is effectively negotiating a temporary truce with criminals.
The PDP spokesman also revisited a controversial remark attributed to the Kwara First Lady, Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq, who reportedly called the incident an “attempted” abduction.
“If it was only an attempt,” Adewara asked, “who then are the 38 people that have just been released?”
The party further criticised Governor Abdulrazaq for repeatedly relying on President Tinubu’s intervention whenever serious security incidents occur, saying it demonstrates that the governor has “lost grip” on his primary constitutional duty as the state’s chief security officer.
Until the masterminds are apprehended, their networks dismantled, and a proactive security architecture established, the PDP maintained, communities across Kwara remain dangerously exposed.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com