In a significant development, the Aiyetoro Kiri community in Kogi State has successfully secured the freedom of seventeen more individuals who were kidnapped during a brutal attack on a church last year.
Negotiations Yield Results After Weeks of Anguish
The Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association, working closely with the families of the victims, announced the release on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. According to a statement from the association's National Publicity Secretary, Aledare Jide Sunday, MASN, the releases were the result of intense and prolonged negotiations that required substantial financial commitments from the community.
The breakthrough saw fourteen victims regain their freedom on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. This positive development followed the earlier release of three other captives on Monday, January 12, 2026.
A Brutal Attack and a Long Ordeal
The nightmare for the community began on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when armed men stormed the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. The assailants disrupted a worship service, abducting over thirty parishioners, including children and elderly members. Tragically, the attack also claimed the life of a seminary graduate.
This incident was not an isolated one. It marked the third major assault on the community in 2025, underscoring the severe and persistent security challenges facing the Bunu District.
Community Bears the Burden Amid Limited Government Aid
The path to securing the victims' release has been arduous and costly for the local community. The association's statement highlighted the immense financial strain, noting, "This was not without painful parting with humugus resources." This burden has fallen heavily on the community, which has had to mobilize funds for ransoms with what they describe as limited intervention from government authorities.
Initial ransom demands from the kidnappers were reportedly as high as N600 million. Earlier, on New Year's Day 2026, a payment of N15 million led to the release of seven people, four alive and three found dead.
With the latest releases, a total of twenty-four individuals have now been freed from the December 14 abduction. "While the association keep striving for the release of her people, it is our prayer and hope, that, they shall all safely join us," the group stated.
The news brings a measure of relief to families who have endured weeks of uncertainty and fear. However, the ordeal is not over. Several victims remain in captivity, and the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association has vowed to continue its efforts until every last person is brought home safely.
