After more than two months in captivity, 14 worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, have regained their freedom after N25.5 million ransom was said to have been paid.

On April 28, the worshippers were attending an open-air revival in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, when gunmen invaded the service.

The officiating pastor was shot and killed during the attack, while 15 worshippers, including women and children, were abducted and taken into the forest.

An 82-year-old female captive later died in captivity due to the harsh conditions.

Following their release, the 14 survivors were taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Ado-Ekiti, for medical evaluation and trauma rehabilitation. They remained at the facility for more than a month before they were discharged on Wednesday, August 5.

Ordeal

Narrating their ordeal after their discharge, some of the victims said they were kept in an uncompleted building and fed once a day with raw cassava.

According to them, they were occasionally given garri without water and only had the opportunity to drink water when it rained.

They also said they trekked about 200 kilometres from Eda-Oniyo to a location in Kogi State, where they were eventually held for more than 60 days.

Several residents of the community have since fled their homes, particularly those living on the outskirts, for fear that the kidnappers could return.

The victims also revealed that other people abducted from different parts of the country were being held at the camp.

According to them, the leader of the kidnappers lived comfortably in the bush, almost like a king, with communication gadgets and a generator that provided electricity round the clock in the camp.

Discharge

The process for their discharge began last Tuesday when Governor Biodun Oyebanji received a delegation from Eda-Oniyo led by the monarch, Oba Julius Awolola, who thanked the governor for providing medical care for the victims at the expense of the state government.

It was a joyous occasion for the victims, who were visibly excited to leave the hospital after more than a month of treatment.

Observers noted that they appeared healthier and better nourished than when they were initially rescued from captivity.

The state government provided the victims with uniformed Adire attire and an 18-passenger bus to convey them back to Eda-Oniyo.

They were escorted by a security van from the state Rapid Response Squad.

The President of the Eda-Oniyo Progressive Union, Dr Rufus Ajayi, received them on behalf of the community.

The convoy left EKSUTH and arrived in the community about an hour later, where it was welcomed by a large and jubilant crowd.

The community chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, held a thanksgiving service in front of the monarch’s palace after the victims were received.

The occasion was also used to observe a minute’s silence in honour of one of the abductees, 82-year-old Mrs Olomi Ogundele, who died in captivity.

After the celebrations, the monarch, through the President of the Eda-Oniyo Progressive Union, Dr Ajayi, appealed for the speedy completion of the divisional police station under construction in the community.

He also called for the establishment of a military post at the border between Eda-Oniyo and Obbo Aiyegunle in Kwara State to address recurrent clashes between the two communities.

Military base

Responding to the requests, Governor Oyebanji said the state government remained committed to protecting residents and urged the community to cooperate with security agencies.

He said: “This government is here to protect and serve you, and the only way we can serve you better is through your cooperation.

“I have listened to your request. The construction of the police station is ongoing, and I will ensure its speedy completion.

“Then, Gen. Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security, this is important. I want a military base at Eda-Oniyo. It is extremely important. Whatever it is going to cost us, bring it to me; I will approve it.”

The state government also promised to assist the children of the deceased in areas of their interest. The victims thereafter reunited with their families.

Initial uproar

The release of the captives came after weeks of public outcry and calls for their rescue.

About a month before their release, the House of Representatives called for the immediate rescue of the abducted worshippers.

The lawmakers urged security agencies to launch coordinated operations to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence of the incident.

The resolution followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency, Kolawole Akinlayo, during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Akinlayo told the House that the attackers, who were armed with sophisticated weapons and operated in large numbers, “killed a pastor and abducted several congregants, including women, elderly persons and children.”

He added: “The gunmen carried out the operation for several minutes without resistance before retreating into nearby forests with their victims.”

Akinlayo expressed concern that the incident was a testament to the growing insecurity confronting rural communities and places of worship across the country.

He noted that the attack not only resulted in the loss of innocent lives but also violated citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of worship and further eroded public confidence in the country’s security architecture. (Sunday Vanguard)

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