Ekiti Police Rescue Abducted Christ Apostolic Church Worshippers

Breaking News, Crime, Ekiti State, National Security

Ekiti Police Rescue Abducted Christ Apostolic Church Worshippers

Ekiti worshippers kidnapped during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo, have finally been rescued after weeks in captivity. Police say the breakthrough came through coordinated intelligence-led operations involving security agencies, Amotekun, hunters and the state government.

Atlantic Post

July 4, 2026

3–5 minutes

Breaking News, Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti Police Command, Ekiti State, Kidnap Victims, Nigerian Security Operations

The Ekiti State Police Command has rescued worshippers abducted during the violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo, in Ekiti State on 28 April 2026, ending weeks of anguish for families and residents who had lived in fear since the incident.

The rescue was announced on Saturday in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, who said the victims were freed through what he described as “sustained intelligence-led operations” involving the police, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.

According to Abutu, the rescued worshippers have been taken to hospital for medical examination and treatment after spending an extended period in captivity.

He said the operation reflected the growing cooperation among security actors in the state and the role of community intelligence in tracking criminal networks. The command did not immediately disclose the exact location where the victims were recovered, but the statement made clear that the rescue followed coordinated pressure on the kidnappers.

The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Falade Adegoroye, commended the agencies involved for what he described as professionalism and collaboration. He said the operation was “a product of effective inter-agency synergy”.

Adegoroye also praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting security agencies in the state, while expressing appreciation to residents who shared useful information that helped the operation.

He said efforts were still ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction and assured the public that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across Ekiti State.

The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda-Oniyo had triggered widespread outrage and deepened concerns over insecurity in parts of the state. The incident occurred during an overnight church service on 28 April 2026, when suspected gunmen invaded the worship centre in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.

During the assault, the attackers killed the presiding pastor and abducted 16 worshippers, including women, children and an elderly woman. The attack drew condemnation from religious groups, community leaders and residents, many of whom described it as one of the most disturbing cases of violence against civilians in recent months.

The kidnappers reportedly opened negotiations with a ransom demand of ₦1 billion before later reducing the figure to ₦50 million. Community sources also said residents raised and paid ₦10.5 million alongside other items reportedly demanded by the abductors, yet the victims were not released at the time.

The prolonged captivity of the worshippers sparked public protests and renewed criticism of the security situation in the area. It also prompted the House of Representatives to pass a resolution calling for the immediate rescue of the abducted church members, a move that added pressure on security agencies to intensify operations.

Saturday’s rescue will likely be welcomed as a major relief by the affected community and by families who had spent weeks without certainty about the fate of their loved ones. But the development also underlines the scale of the security challenge that remains in parts of the country, where kidnappers continue to target churches, highways, farms and residential communities.

For many residents of Eda-Oniyo and neighbouring communities, the rescue may restore some confidence in the ability of security agencies to respond decisively when intelligence is effectively shared and operations are properly coordinated. The police command appeared keen to emphasise that point in its statement, framing the outcome as evidence that collaboration across agencies can produce results.

Even so, the arrest of the suspects remains the next critical step. Security analysts often argue that rescuing victims, while essential, does not fully break the cycle unless the operational cells behind the crime are dismantled, financiers identified and accomplices prosecuted.

The Ekiti State Police Command said its investigation was still active and urged members of the public to remain vigilant, while continuing to report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.

Abutu reiterated that residents should not lower their guard and must keep supplying timely intelligence to the police and other security formations.

The rescue brings a measure of relief to a community that has endured fear, anger and uncertainty since April, but it also leaves in place urgent questions about how such attacks can be prevented in the future. For the victims and their families, however, the most immediate development is that a painful chapter has now been brought to a close.