Police Rescue Abducted Ekiti Church Worshippers

The Ekiti State Police Command has rescued worshippers abducted during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of the state.

NEWSNGR reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu.

Abutu said the victims were rescued following sustained intelligence-led operations carried out by the police in collaboration with the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.

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

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Falade Adegoroye, commended the security agencies involved in the operation for their professionalism and collaboration.

He described the rescue as a product of effective inter-agency synergy and coordinated intelligence gathering.

Adegoroye also appreciated Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting security agencies in the state, while thanking residents for providing useful information that aided the operations.

The police commissioner said efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant.

Adegoroye also called on members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

The worshippers were abducted on April 28, 2026, when suspected gunmen attacked an overnight service at the Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo.

During the attack, the presiding pastor was killed, while 16 worshippers, including women, children and an elderly woman, were taken away by the attackers.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦1 billion before later reducing the amount to ₦50 million.

Members of the community reportedly raised and paid ₦10.5 million, alongside other items demanded by the abductors, but the victims remained in captivity.

The development sparked protests by residents and also prompted a resolution by the House of Representatives calling for the immediate rescue of the abducted worshippers.

The police said security operations would continue until the perpetrators were apprehended and brought to justice.