Worshippers abducted during a church crusade in Ekiti State have regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity, following what police described as a coordinated security operation.
The victims, who were kidnapped when gunmen attacked a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) crusade in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, were taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti for medical evaluation and treatment immediately after their release.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, said the victims were rescued through sustained intelligence-driven operations involving multiple security agencies.
“The successful rescue followed sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts by the Nigeria Police Force, the Military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and the Ekiti State Government,” Abutu said.
He added that the victims were receiving medical care to assess their health and ensure adequate treatment.
Abutu said the Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, praised the commitment and cooperation of all security agencies involved in the operation.
“The Commissioner commended the dedication, professionalism and synergy exhibited by all security stakeholders whose collective efforts led to the rescue of the victims.”
The police chief also thanked Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration for supporting security agencies during the operation.
“The Commissioner also thanks the good people of Ekiti State for their continuous cooperation, vigilance and timely provision of credible information,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a community representative and former Ekiti commissioner, Rufus Ajayi, expressed gratitude over the victims’ release but revealed the heavy financial burden placed on residents.
According to him, the community raised N25.5 million to secure the victims’ freedom after borrowing heavily, despite losing one of the abducted worshippers during the ordeal.
Ajayi, however, defended the Ekiti State Government’s decision not to contribute to the ransom payment.
He argued that government involvement would have encouraged kidnappers to target the state more frequently.
The Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Pius Alaba, described the victims’ return as bittersweet because one of those abducted died during the incident.
He commended the state government’s support and said the council had intensified security engagements, including organising security summits, to prevent similar attacks in the future.
The victims were abducted when armed men stormed a Christ Apostolic Church crusade in Eda-Oniyo, triggering widespread outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Ekiti State.
