38 worshippers seized by gunmen from Nigerian church rescued: president

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LAGOS — Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu said on Sunday that 38 worshippers seized when gunmen stormed a church service last week, killing two people, have been rescued.

"Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued," Tinubu posted on his X account, referring to the attack that was recorded and broadcast online.

The video showed the service being interrupted by gunfire and children are heard screaming outside.

An armed man is seen chasing worshippers, while others steal people's belongings in the pentecostal Christ Apostolic Church.

Tinubu, who cancelled all international engagements, following a spate of violent attacks in recent days, did not give details of who was behind the attack or the circumstances of the hostages' rescue.

He also said: "I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered".

The Christian association of Nigeria announced earlier Sunday that 50 of the more than 300 children snatched by gunmen from a Catholic school on Friday have escaped their captors.

There are mounting security fears in Africa's most populous nation following two mass school kidnappings and the church attack.

The attacks came as US President Donald Trump threatened military action over what he called the persecution of Christians by radical Islamists in Nigeria.

Tinubu said he was "closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline".

"I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety -- and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people."