The Ekiti State Police Command has rescued worshippers who were abducted during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State, on April 28.
The development was announced on Saturday in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu.
Abutu said the victims were freed following sustained intelligence-driven operations carried out by the police in collaboration with the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and the Ekiti State Government.
He added that the rescued worshippers have been taken to a hospital for medical evaluation 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.
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.