Police rescue abducted Ekiti worshippers

The Ekiti State Police Command has rescued worshippers abducted during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo, in Ekiti State on April 28.

The command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu.

Abutu said the victims were rescued through sustained intelligence-led operations involving the police, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.

According to him, the victims have been taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye, commended the security agencies for their professionalism and collaboration, describing the rescue as a product of effective inter-agency synergy.

The police commissioner also appreciated Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting security agencies in the state and thanked residents for providing useful information that aided security operations.

Adegoroye said efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities to security agencies.

The worshippers were abducted on April 28, 2026, when suspected gunmen attacked an overnight Christ Apostolic Church service in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The attackers killed the presiding pastor and abducted 16 worshippers, including women, children and an elderly woman.

The 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

NAN