ADO-EKITI, Nigeria — Fifteen worshippers abducted from a church revival in Ekiti State have regained their freedom after 67 days in captivity, with one victim confirmed dead.
The victims, members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igbala, in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, were released late Friday night and arrived their community around midnight before being taken for urgent medical care.
Police authorities said the rescue followed coordinated operations involving multiple security agencies.
“The successful rescue followed sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts by the Nigeria Police Force, the Military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and the Ekiti State Government,” the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said.
He added that he was not aware of any ransom payment linked to their release.
The worshippers were abducted on April 28, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen attacked a revival programme at the Oke Igbala prayer mountain, opening fire and killing a pastor before taking the victims into the forest.
A community leader confirmed that one of the abductees died in captivity, describing the loss as devastating for the family and the community.
The freed victims are currently receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for both physical and psychological trauma.
The incident underscores persistent security challenges in parts of the South-West, where attacks on rural communities and places of worship have raised concerns over safety and emergency response capacity.
