Suspected bandits have freed 17 additional worshippers abducted from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu, Kogi State, following ongoing negotiations and ransom payments.
Gossip News Now reports that the release came after weeks of discussions between the kidnappers, the victims’ families, and the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association, which has been coordinating community efforts to secure the hostages’ freedom.
According to Sahara Reporters, the Kogi State Government was not directly involved in the negotiations or the releases that have taken place so far.
The worshippers were originally abducted on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when armed men stormed the ECWA church during a service, abducting over 30 parishioners and taking them to an unknown location. The incident caused panic and outrage in the local community and surrounding areas.
Since the abduction, families, working alongside community leaders, have been engaged in prolonged negotiations with the kidnappers to secure the release of their loved ones.
The first breakthrough occurred on January 1, 2026, when seven worshippers were released following ransom payments reportedly totaling ₦15 million. Tragically, only four of these victims were freed alive, while three died—two in captivity and one shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
Negotiations continued despite the initial tragedy. A local platform, Egbe Mekun, reported that three more victims were released on Monday, January 12.
This was followed by the release of 14 additional worshippers on Tuesday, bringing the total number of freed hostages to 24. Community sources indicate that 13 worshippers remain in the bandits’ custody.
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