By Gobina Joseph
Twenty four of thirty -seven members of the branch of ECWA Church at Àyetoro-Kiri in Kabba/ Bunu local government in kogi state held captives by the bandits have regained their freedom from their assailants.
Gunmen wielding hoodlums suspected to be bandits had stormed the Church at Àyetoro-Kiri on Sunday, December 14, 2025, and abducted about 37 of its members, and ferried them to the forest in the area, since then .
The captives comprise elderly women and men of over 70years, and children of about 5 to 7 years old.
The Ayetoro-Kiri community associations , leaders and families have not rested on their oars in their bid to release their kinsmen from their assailants since the incident occured a month ago .
The community youth leader, Daniel Friday noted that the efforts of the community has paid off with the release of 17 of the 37 abducted parishioners in the Sunday attack .
Report from the community noted on Wednesday that seven of the abductees were released earlier after prolonged negotiations and the payment of huge ransom to their abductors .
Also, it was noted that of the seven, four were released alive, while three others were confirmed dead.
The source said : “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 a further 14 victims on Tuesday, December 13, 2026, bringing the number of released abducted parishioners to 24 out of 37 in their hands”.
The source added that the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association, working alongside with the families of the victims secured the release of the abducted members to that effect.
“The latest release brings renewed hope to the community, though it came at significant financial cost”, describing the process as involving a “painful sacrifice of huge resources”, said the source who craved for cover .
However, the Aiyetoro- Kiri Bunu Development Association has restated its determination to secure the freedom of the remaining 13 abductees, calling for continued prayers and support from the public.
The Residents of the community therefore sought for urgent assistance to ensure the safe return of those still under captivity of their abductors.
The report from the community noted that arrangement is at the top gear to ferry the released members in the village since their release to a hospital in Kabba for medical attention.
As at this report , neither the kogi state police command nor the state government has issued statement over the development.
Pictures : Released members of abducted worshippers at the branch of ECWA Church at Àyetoro-Kiri in Kabba/Bunu local government in Kogi state
