Bandits who kidnapped worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have demanded an alarming N3.5 billion — translating to ₦100 million for each victim. Pastor Lawrence Bamidele, who leads the church, confirmed that between 30 and 35 members were seized during Tuesday evening’s violent attack.
Family members and community leaders said on Thursday that the kidnappers had started contacting relatives using the victims’ phones. Josiah Agbabiaka, secretary of the church, revealed that the abductors divided the victims into groups and that the first batch of 11 people had each been asked to pay ₦100 million.
The Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun—whose four relatives were among those abducted—said the calls were being made “systematically” to different families. He narrated how he escaped through a window moments before the attackers took his relatives away.
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The Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, appealed to government authorities to step up rescue operations. He praised the quick deployment of soldiers following the state governor’s visit but stressed that more needed to be done to ensure the victims’ safe return.
Meanwhile, the police said they had not yet received official information regarding ransom demands. Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said tactical units, working jointly with the military, were sustaining efforts to rescue the captives and called on residents to provide timely, useful information.
The incident adds to a worrying surge in violent attacks across Kwara, a state previously known for its relative calm in the North-Central region.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the attack, calling it “a heartbreaking reminder of Nigeria’s growing insecurity.” Its president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and called for a transparent investigation, noting that the assault fits a pattern of repeated attacks on vulnerable Christian communities.
Tensions escalated further on Thursday as residents, youths and local vigilantes confronted the chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, accusing him of abandoning the troubled community. They alleged that he seldom visits affected locations, ignores distress calls and has failed to support local security volunteers.
A resident, Funmi Anifowose, lamented that she could no longer go to her farm for fear of being kidnapped. A security operative also disclosed that their team patrols a 120km stretch with only 25 litres of fuel.
The council, however, dismissed the accusations. Speaking on behalf of the chairman, the Speaker of the Ekiti LGA Legislative Assembly, Fatoyinbo Michael, described the claims as politically motivated. He said the council immediately mobilised vigilantes after the attack and listed several interventions, including refurbishing a police Hilux for ₦3.6 million, providing motorcycles and ammunition, and offering other support to community security groups. According to him, “anyone saying the chairman is doing nothing is uninformed or playing politics.”
