Six ECWA Worshippers Released in Kogi After Ransom Payment Ends Month-Long Ordeal

By Emmanuel Kwada

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In a welcome end to a harrowing chapter of insecurity, the final six abducted members of the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri community, Bunu land, Kogi State, have been released by their captors following the payment of ransom.

The Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association (AKBDA) confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, describing the release as the conclusion of a prolonged and traumatic ordeal that began with a brazen attack on the church.

The victims were among worshippers kidnapped on December 14, 2025, when armed terrorists—locally referred to as bandits—stormed the First ECWA Aiyetoro Kiri during a Sunday service, abducting over 30 parishioners in total. The assault highlighted the persistent threat of kidnapping for ransom in parts of Kogi State and drew widespread condemnation.

According to AKBDA, the releases occurred in phases amid intense negotiations and significant financial strain on families and the community: The first batch of seven abductees was freed on January 1, 2026, after initial ransom payments; Three more victims regained their freedom on January 12, 2026; Fourteen additional individuals were released the following day, January 13, 2026 and the remaining six were liberated in the latest development, bringing the total number of freed captives in this group to all those from the December incident who were still held.

The association revealed that securing the safe return of all the abducted members demanded “enormous resources,” including substantial contributions from families, community residents, sympathizers, and well-wishers. Sustained dialogue under highly uncertain and difficult conditions was also key to the phased releases.

In their statement, AKBDA expressed deep gratitude to God for the safe return of the victims and extended heartfelt appreciation to everyone who supported the effort, including media organizations that kept the public focused on the plight of the captives and amplified calls for their freedom.

“This marks the end of a long, traumatic ordeal for the victims, their families, and the entire Aiyetoro Kiri community,” the statement read, while acknowledging the emotional and financial toll exacted by the crisis.

The association renewed its call for lasting peace and enhanced security measures in Aiyetoro Kiri and the broader Bunu land. They urged relevant authorities—security agencies and government—to take decisive, proactive steps to prevent future attacks and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities.

The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where communities often bear the burden of negotiating directly with abductors due to limited state intervention in such cases.

As the freed worshippers reunite with their loved ones, attention now turns to rehabilitation and stronger preventive measures to safeguard religious gatherings and rural communities from similar violence.