Eight abducted members freed after three weeks

Gunmen have let go of eight national officers of the Scripture Union (SU) in Imo State, in the South-east of Nigeria.

The victims were taken on 14 June while coming back from a SU national conference at the Camp of Faith in the Okigwe area of the state. They were on their way from Okigwe to Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

SU is a Christian movement that works globally, focusing on helping children and young people.

The victims

Earlier reports said the victims included three adult women and five men. The three women are Oluwatomisin Abolarin, Ebenezer Ige, and Ola Ige. The five men are Ernest Onyenagbagha, Elijah Chukwudi, Cosmas Udoh, Olumide Ayemobola, and Adekunle Jegede, who was the driver.

Release from captivity

Willy Onu, the National Chairman of SU, shared the news of their release in a statement on Tuesday. He said, "To the glory of God, our brethren were released on Sunday, 5 July 2026 and are safe and healthy.

"With hearts full of immense relief and profound gratitude to Almighty God, we write to express our deepest appreciation for your unwavering support during the harrowing time our brethren were held captive," Mr Onu noted.

The national chairman thanked SU members for their faith, prayers, and financial help, which gave them the strength to get through the tough times. "Their release is a testament to the power of collective prayer, resilience, and the sacrifices made by every member of the union at all levels," he added.

For now, it is unclear if any ransom was paid to the kidnappers to get the victims released. Mr Onu did not comment on that.

The victims were freed exactly three weeks, which is 21 days, after they were taken.