Tragedy, Relief as Seven Abducted ECWA Church Members Released After ₦16 Million Ransom
Tragedy, Relief as Seven Abducted ECWA Church Members Released After ₦16 Million Ransom
A deep sense of grief has settled over the Ayetoro Kiri community following the release of seven abducted members of the ECWA Church.
The victims were freed late last night after a grueling period in captivity, but the homecoming was far from a total celebration. While four of the congregants returned home alive, the release was marked by the grim recovery of three dead bodies, confirming the worst fears of the community.
The release followed weeks of agonizing negotiations between the kidnappers and the victims’ families. Despite the community’s best efforts to gather resources, a total ransom of ₦16 million was paid to secure the return of the group.
The captors had initially demanded a significantly higher sum, leading to a protracted standoff that took a visible toll on the health and safety of the hostages.
The four survivors, who are reportedly in a fragile state, were immediately moved to an undisclosed hospital for medical evaluation and psychological support.
The sight of the three deceased victims being brought back to the village has sparked fresh outrage and sorrow among residents, who had prayed for the safe return of every member taken during the initial attack on the church.
This incident highlights the escalating security crisis facing religious institutions and rural settlements in the region.
While the survivors are now receiving care, the loss of three lives despite the massive financial payment has left the community demanding more than just words from security agencies. Local leaders are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further incursions into places of worship, as the ECWA Church begins the painful process of mourning those who did not make it back.
