Before the break of dawn on Friday, security forces achieved a major breakthrough in Ekiti State after successfully rescuing worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) who had spent more than two months in captivity following their abduction during a church crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area. However, the operation was overshadowed by tragedy as one of the kidnapped victims was confirmed to have died while in the kidnappers’ den.
The worshippers were abducted on April 28, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the church gathering, throwing the community into mourning and sparking widespread concern across the state. After weeks of intensive search efforts, the Ekiti State Police Command announced that the remaining victims had finally regained their freedom through a coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and the Ekiti State Government.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the rescue was made possible through sustained intelligence gathering and carefully coordinated security operations. He disclosed that all the rescued victims have been taken to hospital, where they are undergoing medical examinations and receiving treatment to assess their physical and emotional condition after spending weeks in captivity. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, praised the dedication, professionalism, and collaboration displayed by all security agencies and stakeholders involved in the mission. He also commended the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for its unwavering support to security agencies, describing it as a key factor in the successful rescue of the victims.
The police further expressed appreciation to residents of Ekiti State for remaining vigilant and providing credible intelligence throughout the operation. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property while intensifying efforts to track down and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.
