DSS, Military Tracked and Pressured Bandits Into Releasing 38 Victims — Onanuga

The Presidency has revealed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military established direct contact with the armed group responsible for abducting 38 worshippers from a church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Monday. He insisted that security agencies communicated directly with the kidnappers and demanded the immediate release of the victims.

According to Onanuga, the bandits complied because they understood the consequences of defying government directives.

“After the incident happened, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue efforts. They got in contact with the bandits to release those people unharmed, and finally on Sunday they were able to get them out,” he said.

Onanuga explained that security agencies have established methods for tracking armed groups but often exercise caution to avoid harming civilians held as human shields.

“The security people  at the risk of revealing how they work  have a way of tracking these people. They know what’s going on at any time. What sometimes restrains them from going after the kidnappers is the risk of collateral damage,” he added.

Pressed on how the hostages were freed without a direct military confrontation especially after the attackers had earlier killed some victims during the church assault—Onanuga maintained that the government focused first on securing the safe return of the abducted worshippers.

“They contacted them to release the victims because the bandits know the consequences of not listening to government demands,” he said.
“The first thing government must do is get those people freed. That objective has been achieved. The next level of action is for the security agencies, and I don’t want to pre-empt them.”

All 38 abducted worshippers were rescued alive, though authorities have not provided operational details or clarified whether further action will be taken against the kidnappers.

The attack in Eruku has intensified public concern over rising insecurity in Kwara South and neighbouring states, reigniting calls for stronger intelligence operations and improved community protection measures.