Residents say they paid ₦25.5 million to free 14 worshippers, challenging police claims of a security-led rescue.
Eda Oniyo‑Ekiti, Nigeria — The release of 14 Christ Apostolic Church worshippers after more than two months in captivity has exposed deep cracks in Nigeria’s kidnapping response. While police credit an intelligence-led operation, community leaders told TruthNigeria they negotiated directly with the abductors and paid ransom themselves, raising new questions about security capacity and transparency in Southwest Nigeria.
The worshippers were abducted on April 28 when armed men attacked an open-air CAC crusade in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. The attack killed the officiating pastor and saw 15 worshippers, mostly women, two young boys and children aged between two and four years, taken into the forest.
The Ekiti State Police Command said the victims were rescued through a coordinated security operation involving police officers, military personnel, Amotekun Corps members, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.
But residents of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti told TruthNigeria that the community negotiated directly with the abductors and raised money for the release of the worshippers before security agencies became involved.
Eda Oniyo Residents Question Police Rescue Claims
In a viral video on social media, Dr. Rufus Ojo Ajayi, Chairman of the Eda Oniyo-Ekiti Development Union and former commissioner in Ekiti state, said residents relied on negotiations and prayers during the 67-day captivity.
“We prayed, we fasted and God answered our prayers, to soften the stone heart of the kidnappers,” Ajayi said.
Also speaking to TruthNigeria by telephone, Ajayi said the government was not involved in the rescue operation.
“We are happy the government was not involved in the rescue operation. The kidnappers said if we met their demands, they would free our people,” Ajayi said.
Ajayi questioned the police account of the operation.
“I don’t know where they got that story from,” Ajayi said. “The community and well-wishers raised the ransom and paid. Police only got involved when the kidnappers gave us a location to pick up the victims.”
Mr. Emmanuel Ayodele Oni, a resident of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, told TruthNigeria via telephone that residents paid ₦25.5 million ($16,000 approximately) to secure the release of the worshippers.
“We paid ransom. This is my town. I know how it went. Did the Ekiti Police even know where they were kept?” Oni said.
Police Cite Intelligence Operation
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunday Abutu, spokesperson of the Ekiti State Police Command, said the worshippers were rescued on Friday, July 3, following intelligence-led operations.
“The Commissioner of Police commends the dedication and synergy exhibited by all security stakeholders whose collective efforts culminated in the successful rescue of the victims,” Abutu said.
The police said the operation involved the police, military, Amotekun Corps (state backed security outfit), local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.
The command did not disclose the abductors’ identity, arrests or ransom details.
The victims were taken to a hospital after their release for medical checks and treatment.
One of the 15 abducted worshippers, an 84-year-old woman, died while in captivity, according to reports.
Ransom Figures Remain Disputed
The kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion ($630,000 approximately) before reducing the demand to ₦50 million ($31,000 approximately).
Residents first said they raised ₦10.5 million ($6,500 approximately), while Oni told TruthNigeria that ₦25.5 million ($16,000 approximately) was paid.
Neither the police nor the Ekiti State Government has publicly explained the difference between the figures.
Security Expert Calls for Investigation
Major Fajola Ojomo, a retired military officer based in Ogun State, said the different accounts from residents and security agencies require investigation.
“The police and other security agencies need to explain when they became involved, what information they had about the kidnappers, and why the people who held these victims for more than two months have not been identified,” Ojomo said.
“If anyone inside the security system helped kidnappers, ignored information or benefited from ransom payments, those people must be found and prosecuted,” Ojomo said.
Dr. Philemon Akata, a security expert based in Akure, said communities negotiating directly with kidnappers shows that criminal groups still have the ability to collect money from victims’ families despite security presence.
“When communities are forced to negotiate directly with kidnappers and pay ransom, it shows that criminal groups are operating with enough freedom to collect money from victims’ families,” Akata said.
Akata said authorities must track ransom movement, those involved in payments and communication channels instead of focusing only on rescuing victims.
Governor Visits Survivors
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji visited the rescued worshippers after their release and said the state government would support their recovery.
The release ended a 67-day captivity, but questions remain over ransom payment, the identity of the abductors and the security response.
For residents of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, the key issues are whether authorities can identify those responsible, prevent future kidnappings and stop criminal groups collecting money from communities.
Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.
