Gunmen who kidnapped 16 worshippers during a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) crusade in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have released the victims after 67 days in captivity.
According to a Tribune report, about 10 armed men invaded the open-air crusade at about 7 p.m. on April 28, 2026, opened fire on worshippers, killed a visiting pastor and abducted 16 people, including children, women and elderly persons.
While 15 of the victims regained their freedom on Saturday at about 2 a.m., an 84-year-old woman reportedly died in captivity after enduring harsh conditions.
It was gathered that the abductors initially received N10.5 million and food items, including bags of rice, from the community in May but refused to release the victims, instead demanding additional ransom.
The victims were eventually freed after the community paid another N15 million, bringing the total ransom to N25.5 million, alongside five bags of rice, 150 litres of petrol and other food items.
The released worshippers were taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, where they were receiving medical attention after appearing weak, exhausted and traumatised.
The National President of the Eda Progressive Union (EPU), Rufus Ajayi, described the victims’ release as divine intervention, saying the community endured weeks of prayers, fasting and fundraising before securing their freedom.
Ajayi, who said he personally participated in the negotiations, disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million before reducing the amount after prolonged negotiations. He said the community first paid N10.5 million before raising another N15 million through contributions, loans and the sale of personal property.
According to him, contributions came from indigenes at home and in the Diaspora, with some residents donating as little as N1,000 to support the rescue effort.
Ajayi also revealed that the kidnappers demanded additional supplies, including five bags of rice, five 30-litre kegs of petrol, bread, cartons of noodles, soft drinks and other food items, all of which the community provided to secure the victims’ release.
He further explained that members of the negotiation team travelled for three days into remote locations before the abductors eventually handed over the victims beyond Egbe in Kogi State after initially directing them toward Eruku in Kwara State.
Ajayi said the abductors first requested that the supplies be transported on motorcycles because of the difficult terrain before later allowing vehicles to move as close as possible to the final location.
The community leader acknowledged the support of the Ekiti State Government but noted that the community largely relied on its own resources to secure the release of the worshippers, explaining that direct government payment of ransom could encourage more kidnappings.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Alabi, expressed mixed feelings over the development, saying the return of the victims brought relief to the community despite the loss of one of the abductees in captivity.
Alabi thanked the Ekiti State Government, security agencies and community leaders for their roles in securing the release of the victims while praying for the repose of the deceased victim.
Also reacting, the Ekiti State Police Command said the victims were rescued through sustained intelligence-led operations involving the police, the military, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and other security agencies.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said the rescued worshippers had been taken to hospital for medical examination and treatment, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction.
