Fourteen of the fifteen worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igbala, Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, who were abducted during a church vigil over two months ago, have regained their freedom after spending 67 days in captivity.
It was gathered that the fifteenth person died in the den of the kidnappers.
The victims were released in the early hours of Saturday and immediately taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment following the physical and psychological trauma they endured during their ordeal.
The worshippers were kidnapped on April 28 when suspected gunmen invaded an overnight service at the church in Eda-Oniyo. During the attack, the assailants killed the officiating pastor before abducting 16 worshippers, including women, children and an elderly woman.
The abductors initially demanded a ₦1 billion ransom, which was later reduced to ₦50 million.
Although members of the community reportedly raised and paid ₦10.5 million, alongside other items requested by the kidnappers, the victims were not released, triggering protests by residents and prompting the House of Representatives to call for their immediate rescue.
Confirming the release of the victims, the Ekiti State Police Command, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said the worshippers regained their freedom following sustained security operations.
According to the statement, the rescue was made possible through intelligence-led operations carried out by the police in collaboration with the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.
Abutu said the victims had been taken to a medical facility for comprehensive medical examination and treatment before being reunited with their families.
He added that security agencies had intensified efforts to track down and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
“The Command remains committed to ensuring that all those involved in this heinous crime are brought to justice,” the police spokesperson said.
The release of the worshippers brings an end to more than two months of anxiety for their families and residents of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, whose protests and appeals had drawn national attention to the prolonged captivity of the victims.
