The 38 worshippers of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, who regained freedom on Sunday after spending five harrowing days in captivity, are currently receiving close medical attention at the Kwara State Government House Clinic, Ilorin.
Only medical personnel and trauma specialists are allowed into the clinic, with strict security protocols in place. Sources who spoke with Punch disclosed that even health workers attending to the victims were barred from carrying mobile phones into the facility.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the abductees would remain under observation for some time.
“They went through trauma and a very harrowing experience, especially the young ones and the elderly. The government is concerned about their welfare and wants to give them the best possible medical care before allowing them to return home,” he said.
After meeting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq shortly after their release on Sunday, the victims were immediately transported to the clinic, where they have remained shielded from visitors.
The group was abducted during a Tuesday church service and held in the forest until their release five days later.
One of the freed captives, Bamidele Emmanuel, recounted the horrifying moment the gunmen struck.
“The attack was sudden and chaotic. We suddenly heard gunshots. At first, I didn’t even know it was gunfire; I thought it was some wire sparking,” he said.
According to him, the bandits surrounded the church within minutes.
He further stated, “By the time we realised what was happening, they had already surrounded the whole church. Some people ran, and we saw drops of blood everywhere. It was terrifying.”
Emmanuel described the period in captivity as “unimaginable,” adding that the kidnappers appeared to know the terrain extensively.
“When we got into the bush, we immediately understood that the whole place was dominated by these evil people. They told us themselves that they were bandits and made it clear that no one could escape. From what we saw, they knew every route around those bushes within Kwara and neighbouring communities,” he said.
He added that the victims endured intense physical and psychological abuse, stressing that “it is not something anyone should experience.”
Neither the Kwara State Government nor security agencies have disclosed details of the operation that led to the victims’ freedom, maintaining tight secrecy around the matter.
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