Kidnapped Ekiti worshippers regain freedom after 67 days in forest

Fourteen worshippers abducted during an assault on a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) revival grounds in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, over two months ago, have finally regained their freedom.

However, the rescue carries a heavy weight of tragedy. While 14 survivors are currently fighting for their physical and mental recovery in a state medical facility, security officials have confirmed that one female captive tragically lost her life in the forest. It is not clear if she fell ill and passed away without medical assistance, or if she was murdered.

Trending videos circulating across Nigerian social media channels captured emotional, gut-wrenching scenes of the skeletal and heavily traumatised survivors arriving under heavy police escort at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti early Saturday afternoon.

The genesis of the nightmare: The April 28 attack

The ordeal began on Tuesday night, April 28, 2026, when gunmen breached the peace of Eda Oniyo—a quiet border community straddling the line between Ekiti and Kwara states. The attackers targeted an open-air night crusade organised by the local CAC branch.

In the initial chaos, the attackers opened fire, killing the officiating pastor on the spot before herding 15 congregants into the dense wilderness. 

The captives consisted mostly of women, an elderly woman, two young boys, and toddlers ranging between two and four years old. 

According to intelligence sources, the bandits immediately marched the victims across the state lines through interconnected forests leading into Kwara State.

The ransom impasse and community outrage

As the weeks dragged on, the abductors subjected the community and families of the victims to immense psychological torture.

• The initial demand: The kidnappers initially demanded an astronomical ₦1 billion ransom fee.
• The negotiation: Realising the impossibility of the sum, the demand was eventually scaled down to ₦50 million.
• The payment: Desperate to secure the release of their loved ones, the local community pulled resources together, raising and delivering ₦10.5 million alongside other logistics demanded by the cartel.

Despite receiving the millions, the kidnappers reneged on their promise, holding the emaciated victims captive for a total of 67 days. The continuous delay triggered widespread public outcry, local protests by the women of the community, and an emergency resolution on the floor of the House of Representatives demanding absolute state intervention.

The coordinated rescue and government response

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunday Abutu, stated that the breakthrough occurred late Friday night following a massive, joint intelligence-led operation. The rescue operation utilised a combined force of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, the anti-crime Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and the direct logistical backing of the Ekiti State Government.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, lauded the seamless synergy demonstrated by the tactical teams and extended appreciation to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for providing key operational assets.

Reacting swiftly to the rescue, Governor Oyebanji issued an executive directive ordering the management of EKSUTH to provide comprehensive, free medical screening and trauma treatment to the survivors.

“The State Ministry of Health and Human Services has taken full responsibility for the total well-being of the victims. The State Government will cover every single medical expense accrued until they are certified fit to be fully reintegrated with their families,” a statement from the Governor’s Media Office read.

The Governor also conveyed his deep condolences to the family of the female worshipper who did not make it out of the forest alive, while warning political actors against using the tragedy to score cheap points on social media.

The path to recovery

While the state celebrates the return of the 14 survivors, medical sources at EKSUTH indicate that the victims remain in “critical physical and emotional condition,” suffering from severe malnutrition, exposure-related ailments, and profound psychological trauma.

Security agencies maintain that tactical units are still sweeping the Kwara-Ekiti forest borders in an aggressive bid to track down, neutralise, or arrest the members of the kidnap syndicate responsible for the cross-border operation.

Key Crisis Factsheet

• Abduction Date: April 28, 2026 (CAC Open-Air Crusade, Eda Oniyo-Ekiti)
• Total Duration: 67 Days in Captivity
• Casualties: 2 Dead (The presiding Pastor killed during the raid; 1 female captive deceased in the forest)
• Survivors: 14 Rescued (Currently hospitalised at EKSUTH)
• Emergency Contact: Ekiti State Command Emergency Line — 08062335577

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Read Also: Gunmen attack Ekiti church, kill pastor, abduct worshippers