Seventeen additional worshippers abducted from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu, Kogi State, have regained their freedom following sustained negotiations with their captors, deepening hopes for the release of the remaining victims.
Their release was secured through the joint efforts of affected families and the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association (AKBDA), according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Aledare Jide Sunday.
The victims were abducted on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when armed assailants stormed the ECWA Church during a worship service and abducted over 30 parishioners, triggering widespread fear and renewed concerns over insecurity in rural communities of Kogi State.
The Reporters gathered that since the incident, community leaders and families of the victims have been engaged in relentless negotiations aimed at securing the freedom of those held in captivity.
Providing an update on the process, Sunday disclosed that the first breakthrough came on January 1, 2026, when seven victims were released after intense negotiations, involving the payment of ₦15 million.
Of the seven, he added,four were released alive, while three were confirmed dead.
According to him,further engagements with the kidnappers led to the release of three more victims on Monday, January 12, 2026, followed by the release of an additional 14 worshippers on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
“In total, 24 abducted persons have now been released through sustained dialogue and pressure by the community leadership,” Sunday said.
The Aiyetoro-Kiri community has continued to appeal for prayers and intensified security action, expressing hope that the remaining captive will be released unharmed, while calling on security agencies to strengthen protection of vulnerable communities and places of worship across the state.
