Ekiti Community Protests Over Kidnapped Worshippers

Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State protested on Wednesday. They are upset about the ongoing captivity of 16 worshippers taken by gunmen, even after paying 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 those who were abducted.

The victims were taken on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo. The gunmen invaded the church and killed the pastor leading the service.

Initially, the kidnappers demanded N1 billion ransom. 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 not back home.

The protesters carried signs 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 anger over the long wait for their loved ones.

They also asked for better security in the area. This includes a working police station, more forest guards, and a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border.

Ajayi Ayodele, a resident, said most of the 16 abductees are women and there are two young boys among them. He pleaded with the government for help in rescuing them.

“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,” he said.

Ayodele pointed out that the victims have been held for 36 days. The community worked together to pay the ransom, but the kidnappers still refuse to let them go.

“Our people have been kidnapped for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid N10.5 million ransom, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he added.

Another resident, Ayodele Oni, shared that the community feels left alone despite their sacrifices. They not only paid the ransom but also provided food and other items the kidnappers asked for.

“We raised N10.5 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,” he said.

Oni mentioned that the kidnappers contacted them again and now want N50 million. “Yesterday night, we heard from them again. They are now insisting on N50 million despite everything we have already given them.

“The process of giving them the ransom was a terrible experience. We traveled through parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into the bush. After taking the money, they told us we would hear from them. Since then, they have continued making fresh demands.

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

Bose Ajayi, another resident, also begged for urgent help. “We are here to plead on behalf of our community. Our people have been in captivity for 36 days.

“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. Women are crying, children are crying, and the entire community is in pain,” she said.

The protesters also insisted on a stronger security presence in the area, saying that the lack of security has made their community an easy target for attacks.