PDP to Kwara government: Celebrating release of hostages without arresting terrorists unacceptable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara has asked the state government to disclose how the release of the 38 abducted worshippers from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Eruku community was secured.

Last week, some worshippers were abducted when bandits attacked a branch of CAC at Oke Isegun in the Eruku community, a town conterminous with Kogi, in the Ekiti LGA of Kwara state.

On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu said all the 38 worshippers abducted had been rescued.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kwara governor, in a statement signed by Rafiu Ajakaye, his chief press secretary (CPS), attributed the rescue of the victims to the “hands-on approach” of Tinubu who “personally led the efforts” to free the abductees.

‘TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE’

Reacting in a statement, Olusegun Adewara, Kwara PDP spokesperson, said the party welcomes the good news but insists that the state government has failed to address the core security issues that enabled the abduction.

The opposition party said the governor’s statement “was busy distributing gratitude to Abuja” instead of confronting the fundamental security lapses that threaten the safety of residents.

He said the return of the abductees “does not erase the persistent security failures that allowed this heinous attack to occur in the first place”.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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 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:

“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.

“Was a ransom paid? If so, was it from public funds? The government owes the people full transparency on this matter.

“What is the condition of the victims, and what comprehensive support is the government providing for their recovery and reintegration?

“What concrete measures has the state government put in place to prevent another attack of this nature?”

The spokesperson said security should not be measured by how many abducted persons are freed, but by how many criminals are arrested, prosecuted, and prevented from striking again.

He added that until the masterminds of the attack are apprehended and their networks dismantled, communities in the state remain exposed.

Adewara said the development debunks the “disgraceful and irresponsible” remark allegedly made by Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the governor, who reportedly described the abduction as an “attempted” attack.

He asked that if the attack was merely an attempt, “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 AbdulRahman-led government,” the opposition party said.

“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.”

He added that a real victory would be the arrest and prosecution of the criminals and the establishment of a proactive security strategy.