A WAVE of anxiety swept through Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday after bandits reportedly demanded ₦100 million ransom per victim to free the worshippers abducted during Tuesday’s violent attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan.
News Point Nigeria reports that Pastor Lawrence Bamidele, who leads the congregation, confirmed that between 30 and 35 members were taken during the evening service, throwing the community into deep distress.
Multiple family members, church officials, and community leaders told News Point Nigeria that the kidnappers have begun contacting relatives using the phones of the abductees. The demands were described as alarming, with the bandits reportedly grouping their captives.
Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, Secretary of the CAC assembly, confirmed the development.
“It is true that the bandits have started contacting family members using the victims’ phones to demand ransom,” he said.
“The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay ₦100 million each.”
The Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, whose four relatives were abducted, also said the calls had begun.
“Some people in the community have received calls demanding ₦100 million for each person,” he told News Point Nigeria. “They grouped the victims and are calling the relatives group by group.”
Olukotun recounted that he was in the church with five members of his family when the attackers struck. He escaped through a window while the others were seized.
The traditional ruler of the town, the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, appealed for more decisive government action even as he acknowledged the recent military deployment following Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s visit.
“The soldiers came last night, and their presence is reassuring,” the monarch said. “But we appeal that efforts must be intensified to rescue our people quickly.”
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had not yet received any official report about ransom demands.
“We are not aware of any demand for ransom,” she said. “But our tactical teams, alongside the military, are on ground and making concerted efforts to rescue the victims.”
She urged residents to supply any information that could support the operation.