Bandits who abducted worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have demanded ₦100 million ransom per victim.
According to the pastor in charge of the church, Lawrence Bamidele, who spoke with Punch, between 30 and 35 worshippers were taken during the violent Tuesday night attack.
Multiple family members and community leaders confirmed on Thursday that the kidnappers had started reaching out to relatives, using the phones of the abductees.
The church secretary, Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, said the abductors had already contacted several families.
Agbabiaka told Punch, “It is true that the bandits have started contacting family members using the victims’ phones to demand ransom.
“From what we were told, they grouped the victims. The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay ₦100m each.”
Also confirming the development, the Olori Eta of Eruku, Olusegun Olukotun, said the ransom demands were coming in phases.
He said, “Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding ₦100m for each person.
“They said the victims were grouped, and they are calling each group’s relatives.”
Olukotun narrated that he was inside the church with five members of his family when the attack occurred. He said he escaped through a window while four of his relatives were taken away.
The traditional ruler of the town, Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, has appealed for intensified rescue efforts.
The monarch confirmed the arrival of military reinforcements after Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s visit.
He said, “Last night, soldiers entered our community minutes after the governor visited. Their presence gave us some assurance.
“But we are still appealing that efforts should be intensified to rescue our people as quickly as possible.”
Police: ‘No Official Ransom Report Yet’
Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had not received any formal report on ransom demands.
“We are not aware of any demand for ransom or contact made to the family members of the victims,” she stated.
She noted that tactical teams, alongside the military and other agencies, had been deployed for rescue operations.
Ejire-Adeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, urged community members to provide timely intelligence to aid the mission.
“The CP assures residents that the police will continue to do everything possible to secure lives and property in Kwara State,” she said.
The Eruku church attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have unsettled Kwara communities in recent months.
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