Ekiti residents protest as kidnappers hold 16 worshippers after N10.5m ransom

Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted during a church attack, despite the payment of N10.5 million ransom to their captors. The demonstrators, comprising community leaders, women, youths, relatives and friends of the victims, appealed to the […]

Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted during a church attack, despite the payment of N10.5 million ransom to their captors.

The demonstrators, comprising community leaders, women, youths, relatives and friends of the victims, appealed to the federal government, the Ekiti State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.

The worshippers were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, when gunmen invaded a Christ Apostolic Church during an evening crusade, killing the presiding pastor and abducting congregants, including women, children and elderly persons.

The protesters lamented that the victims had remained in captivity for 36 days.

Residents said the kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion, later reducing it to N150 million and subsequently N50 million.

The community eventually raised N10.5 million and supplied food items and other materials requested by the abductors, yet the victims were not released.

A community leader, Ajayi Ayodele, said most of the abductees were women, while two were young boys.

Another resident, Ayodele Oni, disclosed that the kidnappers had resumed contact and were again demanding N50 million.

The protesters also called for stronger security measures, including the establishment of a divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards and a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has called for the immediate rescue of the abducted worshippers and justice for the slain pastor.

Adopting a motion sponsored by the member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency, Kolawole Akinlayo, lawmakers urged the Nigeria Police Force, Armed Forces, Department of State Services and other security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and apprehend the perpetrators.