Abductors of 15 worshippers in Ekiti State have demanded a N1 billion ransom for their release following a deadly attack on a church in the state.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday, April 29, by the Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, during a visit by a government delegation to the community, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The victims were kidnapped on Tuesday night during a vigil service at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) No. 2, Eda-Oniyo, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State. During the attack, the assailants reportedly killed the visiting pastor before taking 15 worshippers into captivity.
Oba Awolola said the attackers had contacted the community and demanded ₦1 billion as ransom for the victims’ release. He described the situation as deeply distressing for residents and appealed for urgent intervention to secure the safe return of those abducted.
Speaking during the visit, Ilejemeje Council Chairman, Pius Alaba, revealed that a family of four — a mother and her three children — was among those taken. He assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and restore calm in the area.
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The delegation to Eda-Oniyo was led by retired Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Other members included the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, and local government officials.
In a statement issued on April 30 and signed by the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the state government described the attack as “heinous and unacceptable.”
The government confirmed that it had deployed a high-powered security team led by Brig.-Gen. Ogundana (rtd.) to coordinate operations in the affected community.
“This effort is being carried out in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, and other relevant security agencies to ensure a robust and unified security response,” the statement read in part.
According to the government, full-scale surveillance operations have been activated to monitor the area, track down the perpetrators, and prevent further security breaches.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity across Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly prevalent in several regions.
Security challenges have also intensified in the North-East. On April 20, insurgents reportedly issued a N5 billion ransom demand for the release of 416 abducted women and children in Borno State. Earlier in the year, coordinated attacks in Borno claimed dozens of lives, while multiple improvised explosive device (IED) blasts in Maiduguri in March resulted in significant casualties, underscoring the evolving tactics of armed groups.
Amid the rising wave of insecurity, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said attempts were being made by his “enemies” to exploit security challenges as the country approaches another general election cycle.
Authorities in Ekiti have assured residents that every necessary measure is being taken to secure the safe release of the abducted worshippers and bring the perpetrators to justice.