Ekiti community protests as kidnappers hold 16 church members

Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State protested on Wednesday. They are angry about the continued captivity of 16 worshippers taken by gunmen. This happened even after the community paid a ransom of N10.5 million.

The protesters included community leaders, women, youths, and family members of the victims. They called on the Federal Government, Ekiti State Government, and security agencies to do more to free the abductees.

These victims were kidnapped on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church. Gunmen invaded the church and killed the pastor in charge.

Residents said the kidnappers first asked for N1 billion. They later reduced it to N150 million and then to N50 million. The community raised N10.5 million and paid it, but the victims are still held captive.

The protesters carried placards with messages like “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing,” “FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers,” and “We reject terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo.” They expressed their frustration over the long wait.

They also asked for better security in the area. They want a functional police station, the deployment of forest guards, and a military base close to the Ekiti-Kwara border.

A resident, Ajayi Ayodele, shared that among the 16 abductees, most are women and two are young boys. He said, “There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are pleading with the government at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people.”

Ayodele noted that the victims have been in captivity for 36 days. He said, “Our people have been kidnapped for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid ₦10.5 million ransom, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money.”

Another resident, Ayodele Oni, said the community feels abandoned. They had made sacrifices to meet the kidnappers’ demands. He explained, “We raised ₦10.5 million, supplied two bags of rice, and several other items that the bandits requested. They even demanded fuel, cigarettes, and other provisions. We complied with all these demands, yet our people are still being held.”

Oni added that the kidnappers contacted them again and are now asking for N50 million. He said, “Yesterday night, we heard from them again. They are now insisting on ₦50 million despite everything we have already given them.”

He described the ransom process as a terrible experience. “We traveled through Kwara and Kogi states and walked deep into the bush. After collecting the money, they simply told us we would hear from them. Since then, they have continued making fresh demands.”

Oni continued, “Thirty-six days in the bush without proper shelter, bathing, or medical care is unbearable. Our mothers, wives, and children are suffering severe trauma.”

Bose Ajayi, another resident, also asked for urgent help to rescue the victims. She said, “We are here to plead on behalf of our community. Our people have been in captivity for 36 days.”

Ajayi added, “We have children as young as two and three years old and an elderly woman who is over 80 years old among those kidnapped. Families are suffering and children keep asking for their mothers. We are begging the Federal Government, the state government, and the local government to help secure their release.”

The entire community is in pain as they call for a stronger security presence in the area. They believe that the lack of proper security has made them vulnerable to attacks.