Sixty seven days after they were kidnapped during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State,the worshippers have been freed.
They are currently receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, at the expense of the state government.
But, one of the victims, a woman, died while in the kidnappers den.
The worshipeers were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, when gunmen invaded the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, a border community between Ekiti and Kwara states, during an evening service.
Their attackers shot the pastor before abducting 16 worshippers, including women and children, and marched them into the forest.
Reportedly ources in the community said the abductors initially moved the victims through forests into neighbouring Kwara State.
It was learnt that he kidnappers initially demanded a ₦1bn ransom, later reducing it to ₦50m. Although the community reportedly raised and paid ₦10.5m alongside other items demanded by the abductors, the victims remained in captivity, prompting protests by residents and a resolution by the House of Representatives calling for their immediate rescue
Ilejemeje Local Government Area chairman, Alaba Dada, confirmed the victims’ release to PUNCH Online on Saturday but lamented the death of one of the captives.
“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.
