24 abducted Kogi worshippers regain freedom

Twenty-four parishioners abducted from a branch of ECWA Church at Àyetoro-Kiri in Kabba/ Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State last month have regained freedom.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the Church on December 14, 2025, and kidnapped about 37 parishioners.

The victims include elderly women, men and teenagers.

Since the incident, the community leaders and the families of the victims have been engaging their abductors to secure their release.

A community youth leader, Daniel Friday, said 17 of the abducted parishioners were released on Tuesday to reunite with their families.

A resident, who spoke anonymously, said, “On January 1, 2026, seven of the abductees were released after prolonged negotiations and the payment of a huge sum of money, running into millions to their assailants.

“Of the seven, four were released alive, while three were confirmed dead; two died before release, and one died in the hospital, while receiving treatment.

“Thereafter, negotiations continued, leading to the release of three more victims on Monday, December 12, 2026, and another 14 victims on Tuesday, December 13, 2026, bringing the number of released abducted parishioners to 24 out of 37.”

The source further hinted that the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association, working alongside the affected families, secured the release of the abducted parishioners.

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