Church Kidnap Victims Get Free Care After 67-Day Ordeal

After more than two months in the hands of kidnappers, worshippers from Eda-Oniyo Christ Apostolic Church in Ekiti, Nigeria are finally safe and receiving the care they need.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji made sure of it. He ordered the state's teaching hospital to provide completely free medical care to all the rescued victims, covering every treatment cost until they're healthy enough to go home to their families.

The worshippers were seized by gunmen on April 28 during a church service. What followed was 67 agonizing days of uncertainty for their loved ones and the entire community.

Their rescue came through old-fashioned teamwork. Police, military units, local security forces called Amotekun, community hunters, and government officials worked together, sharing intelligence and coordinating search efforts across the region.

The victims are now at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital under medical supervision. Doctors are monitoring their health closely, treating both physical ailments and helping them process their traumatic experience before reuniting them with anxious family members.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue shows what's possible when communities refuse to give up on their own. Traditional rulers, church leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria, and ordinary citizens all played crucial roles by staying vigilant and providing tips to security agencies.

Commissioner of Police Falade Adegoroye praised residents for their cooperation and timely information sharing. That community trust in law enforcement helped crack the case when it mattered most.

The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for federal support during the crisis. He's now asking people to stop using the traumatic incident for political point-scoring on social media and instead focus energy on making Ekiti safer for everyone.

Police haven't caught the kidnappers yet, but investigators say they've intensified efforts to track them down and bring them to court. The message is clear: targeting innocent worshippers won't be tolerated.

For now, 67 days of fear have given way to relief, healing, and a community that proved it takes care of its own.