Kwara PDP Welcomes Release Of Eruku 38, Demands Full Disclosure And Arrest Of Perpetrators
…Knocks Kwara First Lady’s Attempt to Downplay the Attack to defend husband's Incompetence
The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the news of the release of the 38 abducted worshipers of the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, with all sense of relief. We join the families, the Eruku community, and all well-meaning Kwarans in thanking God for their safe return from the clutches of their captors. We also thank God Almighty for the good news and commend the courage and tireless efforts of the security agencies, particularly the local vigilantes who worked relentlessly to secure this success.
The PDP in a reaction through a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, said that while the Governor's press release was busy distributing gratitude to Abuja, it failed to address the critical issues that are paramount to the future security of Kwarans.
While this development brings relief to the victims’ families and all of us in Kwara State, it is important to state clearly that the safe return of abducted citizens does not erase the persistent security failures that allowed this heinous attack to occur in the first place if none of the perpetrators of this heinous crime have been arrested and publicly paraded
As a party, we believe the state government's silence on the crucial details of this release is unacceptable and as such, we demand to know
1. Were any of the terrorists who carried out the attack arrested or neutralized during the operation? A government that celebrates the release of hostages without the arrest of their captors is merely negotiating a temporary ceasefire with criminals.
2. Was a ransom paid? If so, was it from public funds? The government owes the people full transparency on this matter.
3. What is the condition of the victims, and what comprehensive support is the government providing for their recovery and reintegration?
4. What concrete measures has the state government put in place to prevent another attack of this nature?
Security is not measured by how many abductees are released, but by how many criminals are arrested, prosecuted, and prevented from striking again. Until the masterminds of this attack are apprehended and their networks dismantled, Kwara communities remain vulnerable.
Furthermore, this release completely exposes the earlier disgraceful and irresponsible comment by the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, who allegedly claimed the abduction was an "attempted" attack. The safe release of 38 abducted citizens has now exposed this insensitive and misleading narrative as an attempt to protect the image of her husband rather than acknowledge the suffering of innocent Kwarans.
If, as the First Lady claimed, the attack was only an “attempt,” then who were the 38 people released today?
Also, the Governor’s official statement attributing the success of the rescue solely to President Bola Tinubu again raises serious concerns about the competence of the Abdulrahaman-led government. If Kwara’s chief security officer must rely entirely on Tinubu's intervention each time citizens are attacked or abducted, then it becomes clear that the state leadership has lost grip on its primary constitutional responsibility and the governor has become a mere liability on the Federal Government.
The Kwara PDP maintains that the return of the Eruku 38, while bringing relief, is not a victory for governance. A true victory would be the arrest and prosecution of the criminals and the implementation of a robust, proactive security strategy that prevents such abductions altogether.
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