Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy, has explained why full details of the rescue of 38 abducted worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, cannot be made public.
In a post shared on his X account on Tuesday, Dare said that operations to secure or free kidnapping victims are inherently complex, involving multiple security agencies, local intelligence, and careful planning. He emphasised that revealing all operational details could compromise security and future rescue efforts.
“The process of securing or freeing victims of kidnappings is often a complicated one involving several steps and multiple security personnel, even local intelligence,” Dare stated. “The ultimate goal is to free the captives and, of course, apprehend the terrorists. The full details of such operations are never disclosed in full. It’s a security matter.”
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Dare also commended the efforts of security personnel involved in recent rescue operations in both Niger and Kwara states, assuring the public that those responsible for the abductions would soon face justice. “We salute recent efforts by our security team in the Niger and Kwara incidents and know that perpetrators and the kidnappers will soon be arraigned to face the law of the land,” he added.
The statement follows the announcement by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq that the 38 hostages had been freed, crediting President Bola Tinubu for his hands-on involvement in coordinating the rescue. The President reportedly postponed a scheduled G20 summit trip to personally oversee security operations in Kwara and Kebbi states.
Dare’s comments underscore the delicate balance authorities must maintain between operational security and public transparency in tackling kidnappings, reassuring Nigerians that rescue efforts are handled professionally while ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.