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The 16 worshippers abducted during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State have regained their freedom after spending weeks in captivity.
However, the release came with tragedy as one of the victims, a woman, reportedly died while in the custody of the kidnappers.
While the Ekiti State Police Command maintained that the victims were rescued through coordinated security operations, community sources alleged that the abductors collected a total of N25.5 million ransom, 150 litres of petrol, five bags of rice, cartons of noodles and other food items before freeing the captives.
The victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, with the Ekiti State Government covering all medical expenses.
The victims were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, when armed men stormed a Christ Apostolic Church during an evening service in Eda Oniyo, a border community between Ekiti and Kwara states. The attackers shot the church pastor before abducting 16 worshippers, including women and children, and marched them into the forest.
Community sources said the victims were initially moved through forests into neighbouring Kwara State. The kidnappers reportedly demanded an initial ransom of N1 billion, which was later reduced to N50 million.
Although the community reportedly raised N10.5 million and provided other items requested by the kidnappers, the victims were not immediately released. The abductors later allegedly received an additional N10 million, along with petrol, rice, cartons of noodles and other food supplies before setting the captives free.
Confirming the victims’ release, Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Alaba Dada, expressed mixed emotions over the development, mourning the death of one of the captives.
He said the victims were first taken to the General Hospital in Iye Ekiti before being transferred to EKSUTH for specialised treatment.
According to Dada, the victims returned in poor physical condition, with many unable to walk due to injuries sustained from beatings while in captivity. He added that they disclosed they had gone without food for more than a week.
A community leader, Ayodele Oni, described the victims’ return as a huge relief after weeks of uncertainty and anxiety.
The Ekiti State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu, said the victims were rescued following sustained intelligence-led operations involving the police, military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.
Abutu said the victims had been taken to the hospital for medical examination and treatment, while efforts had been intensified to arrest the kidnappers.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, commended all security agencies for their collaboration and appreciated the support of the state government and residents throughout the operation.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has directed the management of EKSUTH to provide comprehensive medical care for the rescued worshippers.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, the governor also instructed the State Ministry of Health and Human Services to oversee the welfare of the victims, with the government taking full responsibility for all treatment costs.
Governor Oyebanji thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in securing the victims’ release and also commended security agencies, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, leaders of the Eda Oniyo community, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and other stakeholders for their collective efforts in ensuring the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
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