Kwara PDP Welcomes Release Of Abducted Eruku CAC Members But Demands ‘Full Disclosure’
Kwara State PDP noted on Sunday that the party received the news of the release of the 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, with all sense of relief adding that ‘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 party thanked God Almighty for the good news and commended the courage and tireless efforts of the security agencies especially ‘the local vigilantes who worked relentlessly to secure this success’.
The party in a statement issued in Ilorin and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara however noted that while the governor’s press release in respect of the issue was busy distributing gratitude to people in 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 the 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 is arrested and shown to the public.
As a party, we believe that 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 the criminals.
2. Was a ransom paid? If so, was it from the 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’ the party submitted.
The statement also noted that the release of the abducted victims has put a lie to the claim by the First Lady, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq that it was only an attempted attack.
‘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 to 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’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
