Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has visited victims of the Eda Oniyo church kidnapping who are receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
The visit took place less than 24 hours after the victims were admitted to the hospital on the governor’s directive following their rescue.
The victims were abducted on April 28 when armed men stormed the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) prayer ground during a night vigil. The attackers reportedly shot the presiding pastor dead before kidnapping several worshippers.
During his visit, Oyebanji, who was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, and the Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Oladele Olatunya, condemned the attack and reassured residents of his administration’s determination to safeguard lives and property.
He pledged that the state would become an uncomfortable environment for criminal elements and urged residents not to politicise security-related issues.
Speaking with the victims at the hospital, the governor expressed gratitude for their safe return and described their experience as traumatic.
He assured them that the state government would bear the full cost of their medical treatment and also provide psychological support to aid their recovery and reintegration.
Oyebanji also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to strengthen the nation’s security system.
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He praised security agencies for their collaboration in securing the victims’ release and appreciated traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the Eda Oniyo Community Development Association for providing useful intelligence during the rescue operation.
Describing the attack as unacceptable, the governor said no one should be subjected to violence while worshipping and called for greater cooperation in addressing insecurity.
He added that he was pleased with the victims’ recovery, noting that all of them were responding positively to treatment, including a child who had regained consciousness after initially being unconscious.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, Akin Oluwayemi, a relative, appreciated the governor and security operatives for their efforts and appealed for sustained security surveillance in border communities to prevent future attacks.
During the hospital visit, Oyebanji also came across three indigent patients who had remained at the facility despite being discharged because they could not pay their medical bills.
The governor immediately settled the outstanding bills, which amounted to more than N2 million, and directed hospital management to discharge the patients so they could return home to their families.