Over two months after being seized during a religious event, fourteen members of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti have been released. The group was originally kidnapped on April 28, 2026, when armed individuals raided an open-air crusade held in the Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
A report from security expert Zagazola Makama confirmed the victims were freed late on July 3, 2026. Following their release, they were transported to a medical facility for urgent care and assessment. Tragically, the report indicates that one of the original 15 hostages lost their life while held captive.
The survivors are reportedly suffering from severe physical and emotional distress. This incident follows a violent initial attack that also resulted in the death of the presiding pastor. Law enforcement agencies have not yet provided a formal statement regarding the identities of the perpetrators or the details of how the captives were secured.
