The Nigerian Police Force has confirmed the rescue of worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State, who spent 67 harrowing days in the custody of armed bandits after a brutal attack on their prayer ground that left their pastor dead.
The victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed an overnight revival programme at Oke-Igbala Prayer Mountain in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of the state. The assailants reportedly opened fire on the congregation, killing the presiding minister, Pastor Aregbe, before abducting 15 worshippers, including women and elderly members.
The attack sent shockwaves across Ekiti and reignited concerns over the growing reach of banditry and kidnapping into communities previously regarded as relatively peaceful.
Announcing the development, the Ekiti State Police Command disclosed that the worshippers regained their freedom after a coordinated security operation involving the police, military personnel, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and other security agencies working alongside the state government.
Police spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu, said the rescued victims had been taken for medical examinations and necessary treatment after enduring weeks of physical and psychological hardship in captivity.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, commended security personnel for their determination and professionalism, while appreciating residents and the Ekiti State Government for providing intelligence and support that aided the operation.
Reports monitored by ChroniclesReporters indicated that one of the abducted worshippers reportedly died during the period of captivity, a development that further highlighted the severe conditions under which the victims were held.
The abduction had attracted widespread condemnation in April, with residents, religious leaders and civil society groups demanding urgent action to secure the release of the worshippers and stem the rising wave of violent attacks on rural communities and places of worship.
The eventual rescue of the survivors has brought relief to grieving families and the church community, but the tragedy has once again exposed the persistent security challenges confronting many parts of the country and the vulnerability of worship centres to criminal attacks.