Fifteen members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igbala, Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State, who were abducted during a church revival on April 28, 2026, have regained their freedom after spending more than two months in captivity.
One of the abducted worshippers, however, reportedly died while in the custody of the kidnappers, bringing a tragic end to the ordeal.
The circumstances surrounding the victims’ release remain unclear, as security agencies and relevant authorities have yet to issue an official statement on how they regained their freedom.
Sources disclosed that the freed victims are currently receiving medical attention at a hospital in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State under heavy security.
The sources further revealed that arrangements are being made to transfer them to Ekiti state Teaching hospital for comprehensive medical evaluation and further treatment.
It would be recalled that Eda-Oniyo, the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, was thrown into mourning on April 28, 2026, when suspected bandits attacked a revival programme at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igbala. During the attack, the church pastor was killed, while sixteen worshippers were abducted and taken into the forest.
Reacting , The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of the worshippers .
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the Command said the victims were rescued following sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts involving the Nigeria Police Force, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and the Ekiti State Government.
According to the statement, the rescued victims have been taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment to assess their health condition and ensure they receive adequate medical care. The police, however, did not disclose details of the rescue operation or the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, commended the dedication, professionalism and synergy demonstrated by all security stakeholders, noting that their collective efforts led to the successful rescue of the victims. He also expressed appreciation to the Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for its unwavering support to security agencies, as well as residents of the state for their vigilance and timely provision of credible information.
The police said efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest those responsible for the abduction. The Commissioner reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotline.
