Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on Sunday visited worshippers from Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, who regained their freedom after more than two months in captivity.
The victims, freed on Saturday, are currently receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
Sharing details of the visit on his official X account, Oyebanji said he was relieved to see the survivors responding to treatment, particularly a young child who had regained consciousness.
“Earlier today, I visited our resilient brothers and sisters from Eda Oniyo, currently recovering at EKSUTH. Seeing them stable, especially a young child who has now regained consciousness, brings profound relief and reinforces the sacred duty I bear to protect every life in Ekiti State,” he wrote.
The governor announced that his administration would cover the full cost of the victims’ medical treatment and psychological rehabilitation.
He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working with the Federal Government and security agencies to tackle insecurity in the state, insisting that safety must never be treated as a political tool.
“Let me be clear: security is a fundamental human right, not a political tool. We will continue to collaborate with President Tinubu and our security agencies to relentlessly flush out criminal elements from our state,” he said.
Oyebanji praised the Eda-Oniyo community and security operatives for their role in securing the victims’ release, describing their efforts as brave and intelligence-driven.
A community representative and former commissioner, Rufus Ajayi, disclosed that residents had to borrow money to raise ₦25.5 million as ransom, despite losing one person during the attack. He nonetheless backed the government’s refusal to pay ransom directly, warning that doing so could embolden kidnappers and trigger further attacks.
The worshippers were abducted in April 2026 when suspected bandits attacked an open-air revival organised by the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda-Oniyo. The gunmen reportedly stormed the programme around 6:45 p.m. on a Tuesday, opened fire on the congregation, and killed the revivalist, Pastor Aregbe, before abducting several worshippers.
The then chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Alaba, said some worshippers escaped into the bush while others were shot, and confirmed that the slain pastor’s body had been deposited in a morgue.
The abduction sparked public outrage, with residents staging protests in early June as the captives remained in the kidnappers’ custody for weeks.
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