One of the worshippers abducted during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has died in captivity, while the remaining 15 victims have regained their freedom after spending more than two months in the hands of their abductors.
The rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, with the Ekiti State Government taking full responsibility for their healthcare after they returned in critical condition.
Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Alaba Dada, confirmed the victims’ release on Saturday, expressing mixed emotions over the development.
“I am so happy, and I am sad also. I am happy in the sense that they released the kidnapped persons. We lost one woman among them; that is what makes me sad. But we appreciate God for the people that came back home,” he said.
According to Dada, the victims were initially taken to the General Hospital in Iye Ekiti before being transferred to EKSUTH for comprehensive medical attention.
Describing their condition, he said many of the survivors were unable to walk due to injuries inflicted by the kidnappers.
“Their condition is bad, they cannot walk, they are injured, the kidnappers beat them. They said they had not eaten for over a week. But we thank God for their release,” he added.
The victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, when heavily gunmen invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, a border community between Ekiti and Kwara states, during an evening worship service.
The attackers reportedly shot the church pastor before abducting 16 worshippers, including women and children, and marched them into the forest.
Community sources disclosed that the kidnappers initially moved the captives through forests into neighbouring Kwara State.
The abductors reportedly demanded an initial ransom of ₦1 billion, which was later reduced to ₦50 million.
Although residents reportedly raised ₦10.5 million and provided other items demanded by the kidnappers, the victims remained in captivity.
The prolonged detention sparked protests by members of the community and prompted the House of Representatives to call for the immediate rescue of the captives.
A community leader, Ayodele Oni, described the victims’ return as a major relief after about 65 days of anxiety and uncertainty.
He said their release ended weeks of emotional and psychological trauma for both the victims and their families.
Confirming the development, the Ekiti State Police Command said the victims were rescued through sustained intelligence-led security operations.
Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the operation involved the police, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.
“The rescued victims have since been taken to the hospital for medical examination and treatment to ascertain their health condition and ensure they receive adequate medical care,” Abutu said.
He added that security agencies had intensified efforts to arrest those responsible for the abduction.
The Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, commended the various security agencies for their collaboration and appreciated the support of the Ekiti State Government and residents throughout the operation.
Meanwhile, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has directed the management of EKSUTH to provide comprehensive medical screening and treatment for all the rescued victims.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, the governor also instructed the Ministry of Health and Human Services to oversee the victims’ welfare, assuring that the state government would bear all medical expenses incurred during their treatment.
The statement said the rescued worshippers would remain under medical supervision until they are certified fit to reunite with their families.
Governor Oyebanji also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts that led to the safe return of the victims.
He commended security agencies, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, leaders of the Eda Oniyo community, the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state and other stakeholders for their contributions to securing the victims’ release.
The governor urged those politicising the incident on social media to desist and instead support efforts aimed at improving security across the state.
He also extended condolences to the family of the worshipper who died while in captivity.
