Police rescue abducted Ekiti worshippers

n n

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.

n

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

n

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.

n

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

n

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.

n

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.

n

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

n

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.

n

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.

n

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

n

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 rescuen

n

NAN

n n