Abductors of 15 Ekiti Worshippers Demand N1bn Ransom
Armed abductors who kidnapped 15 worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), No. 2, Eda-Oniyo, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have reportedly demanded a ransom of N1 billion for their release.
The incident occurred on Tuesday during a vigil at the church, when gunmen stormed the premises, killing a visiting pastor and taking away 15 members of the congregation. Among those abducted was a family of four, including a mother and her three children.
The traditional ruler of the community, the Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, disclosed the ransom demand on Wednesday while receiving a government delegation sent to assess the situation and coordinate security efforts.
The delegation was led by the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, retired Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana, and included the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Falade, as well as the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Mr. Pius Alaba.
Oba Awolola expressed the community’s readiness to cooperate with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the victims and to help prevent further attacks in the area.
Mr. Alaba confirmed that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the abducted worshippers, adding that the situation had deeply affected residents of the area.
In response, the state government condemned the attack, describing it as “heinous and unacceptable.” According to the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, a high-level security response team has been deployed to the community.
He said the operation involves the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilante groups working together to track down the attackers and rescue the victims.
The government also confirmed the deployment of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army to the affected area, alongside intensified surveillance and search operations aimed at preventing further security breaches and ensuring the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
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