Bandits who abducted worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have demanded ₦100 million ransom for each abductee, according to community leaders.
The attack happened on Tuesday in Eruku, where at least 30 worshippers were taken away during a church service. Three people were reportedly killed during the invasion, which lasted nearly an hour.
Chief Olusegun Olukotun, the Olori Eta of Eruku, confirmed that four of his relatives were among those kidnapped. He recounted how he and one of his wards escaped through a church window at about 6:06 p.m.
“They have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the groups,”
Olukotun said.
“Some people have received calls demanding ₦100 million per person, but I have not been contacted concerning my own relatives.”
The pastor of the church, Abiodun Bamidele, said the attackers abducted between 30 and 35 persons during a Thanksgiving service held for 18 people previously kidnapped but recently rescued.
Following the incident, youths of Eruku community staged a protest, blocking the Ilorin–Kabba highway and causing major traffic disruption. They accused security operatives posted to the area of failing to respond throughout the attack.
Youth leader Peter Adesiyan criticised the police, noting that despite the community’s contributions toward building facilities for the division, officers did not intervene when residents needed help.
In response, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq ordered an urgent security deployment to the council to curb the rising wave of attacks in border communities.
