Criminals Allied with Lakurawa-JNIM Suspected as Abductors
By Onibiyo Segun
Eruku, Kwara State – The drums began before sunrise – slow, trembling, then rising into jubilant chants as families in Eruku danced through dusty roads celebrating the return of 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku. But beneath the dancing, the fear remains.
Defense strategist Dr. Abdulrahman Musa also told TruthNigeria, “Kwara is no longer a safe buffer. These terror cells from Niger, Kogi, and Kwara, obviously affiliated to the Lakurawa-JNIM terror groups, are integrating and expanding.
“From Eruku to Niger state, Kebbi state, Kaduna and the likes, no where and no one is safe. Nigeria needs help, “Musa told TruthNigeria.
As TruthNigeria exclusively reported Sunday, JNIM (Jama’t Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin) is a large Al-Qaeda linked insurgency in the Sahel and active in the Benin Republic bordering Nigeria. The same group is suspected of abducting more than 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State early Friday morning.
Their release ended five days of anguish for the rural border community where armed Fulani militants stormed a worship service and abducted dozens, killing several worshippers.
TruthNigeria exclusively reported on Friday, Nov. 21 the killing of five worshippers and the abduction of more than 30 worshippers during the service, a development that shocked the region and triggered an intensive combined hunt by security agencies. Over the weekend it was learned that 38 congregants have been marched into the forest.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu later reacted to the release, reiterating his administration’s commitment to securing the country, saying he “will not relent until Nigerians are protected,” as reported on Channels TV.
Ransom Paid by Government?
Defense experts welcomed the safe return of the abductees but questioned the government’s silence over whether the victims were rescued through force or released after a ransom payment.
Retired intelligence officer Col. Hassan Adekeye (rtd.) told TruthNigeria, “We thank God these citizens are alive, but transparency matters. Was this a rescue or a payment negotiation? A question we may never get answers to.”
Security analyst Dr. Michelle Okoh based in Lagos told TruthNigeria, “that ambiguity only strengthens terror networks.
“If ransom was paid, these terrorist groups now have more firepower. Meaning, they’ll abduct more for money to buy more arms and that is counterproductive. If it was a rescue, the tactics should be documented and repeated.
Community Leader: ‘We Located Their Camp Ourselves’
Eruku community leader Chief Samuel Oladipo, who coordinated volunteer search units, said community guards and local vigilantes helped narrow down the terrorists’ location before handing intelligence to security agencies.
Chief Samuel told TruthNigeria, “Our boys tracked them into the Kwara–Kogi boundary forest.
“Government security agents followed that lead. That is how the victims were finally found and they took over from there.
“No terrorist was killed or arrested to the best of my knowledge. And that only means there was a ransom paid to have them brought back home.”
How They Were Freed
Security sources told TruthNigeria that operatives from the military, DSS, police rapid-response squads, and local trackers launched a coordinated operation around 3 a.m. on Sunday, November 24. The abductees were eventually found in a concealed camp roughly 12 kilometers off the Eruku–Egbe road.
Many victims were dehydrated, injured, and visibly traumatized. They were all given firsthand aid after arriving Eruku community.
Night of Terror
The attack began at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, during the midweek worship service. According to multiple accounts gathered by TruthNigeria, approximately 20 armed young Fulani militants arrived on seven motorcycles, firing into the air and ordering worshippers to lie face down. The terrorists killed at least five people and forced 38 worshippers into the forest, beating many and threatening execution.
Victims detailed how the gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, cutlasses, and improvised charms, herded the victims across the bush paths that link Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States, according to Punch.
Victims Tell Their Stories
Among those freed is Mrs. Felicia Ige, 64, who told TruthNigeria that the terrorists spoke Fulani throughout the operation.
“They rushed in while we were praying,” she recalled. “One hit me with his gun. They said we should move or they would shoot. I thought my life had ended there.”
Another abductee, Mrs. Elizabeth Joshua, 27, told TruthNigeria, “the forest where they took us was filled with them (referring to Fulani Ethnic Militia terrorists). They told us that if we ran, we will be caught and the punishment will be dire.
“While leading us through the forest, if anyone slowed down, they beat you. They kept shouting at us. I can’t tell for how long we trekked, but we got to a particular spot I think early morning the next day – Thursday, November 20th.”
Mr. Ebenezer Olutokun, who later posted a video thanking God for survival, said the abductors moved them between multiple hideouts deep inside the forest.
Olukotun told TruthNigeria, “People fainted. They kept telling us the government cannot save us.”
A Community Still Healing
Pastor Jonathan Adebisi told TruthNigeria, “the church is grateful but still grieving the five who were killed.
“Their return is a miracle, but our hearts are still broken.”
As dusk settled over Eruku on Sunday, survivors gathered again at the church premises, singing, praising God for the safe return of their loved ones.
Tinubu’s Promise Meets a Harsh Reality
President Tinubu’s pledge to protect Nigerians is being tested more severely than ever everywhere in Nigeria. But for Eruku residents, the return of their loved ones is a relief but also a warning that the violence creeping across Nigeria’s interior is now at their doorstep.
Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.
