The abductors who stormed the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly demanded N100m ransom for each of the victims seized during Tuesday night’s attack.
Church officials and community leaders confirmed on Thursday that the kidnappers had begun calling families using the phones of the abducted worshippers.
Pastor in charge of the church, Lawrence Bamidele, said between 30 and 35 people were taken during the service.
The Secretary of the assembly, Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, told The PUNCH that the abductors had divided the victims into groups.
“They have started reaching out to families. We were told that the first group of 11 people was asked to pay N100m each,” he said.
Chief Olusegun Olukotun, the Olori Eta of Eruku, whose four relatives were abducted, confirmed that the calls were coming in “systematically” from the kidnappers.
He recalled that he was in the church with five members of his family at the time of the attack but managed to escape through a window.
Monarch appeals as military deploys
The traditional ruler of Eruku, the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, has appealed for urgent intervention to ensure the safe release of the abducted worshippers.
He commended the swift arrival of soldiers deployed to the community following the state governor’s visit but urged authorities to intensify rescue efforts.
“The presence of the soldiers gave us confidence, but we are appealing for more action to bring our people home quickly,” he said.
Police deny ransom report
The Kwara State Police Command, however, said it had not received any official report of ransom demands.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said security agencies were working jointly to track the abductors and rescue the victims.
“We are not aware of any ransom demand. Our tactical teams, alongside the military and other agencies, are on ground and making concerted efforts,” she said.
She urged community members to volunteer credible information that could support the operation.
CAN condemns attack
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the incident, describing it as another painful reminder of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, mourned those killed in the attack and expressed solidarity with the families of those abducted.
“This is a tragic blow to the Eruku community. We stand with all those affected,” he said in a statement.
He called for a transparent investigation and swift rescue efforts, warning that the incident reflects a disturbing escalation of assaults on Christian communities.
Community tensions flare
The attack has sparked confrontation between residents and the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, whom they accuse of neglecting the security challenges in the region.
Youth leaders, vigilantes, and farmers complained that the council had failed to provide support or respond to distress calls.
“He hardly visits the areas where these incidents happen,” youth leader Shola Peters said. “Our vigilantes don’t have the resources they used to work with.”
But the Speaker of the Ekiti LGA Legislative Assembly, Fatoyinbo Micheal, speaking on behalf of the chairman, dismissed the allegations as false and politically driven.
He listed several interventions by the council - including repairs of police vehicles, provision of a motorcycle to the DPO, supply of rifles and ammunition, and recent delivery of cartridges to local security units.
“Anyone saying the chairman is not doing anything is simply misinformed,” he said.
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