Armed bandits who stormed a church service in Eruku, a border community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have demanded a staggering ₦100 million ransom for each of the 38 worshippers they abducted on Tuesday evening.
The attackers invaded the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during an evening service, firing sporadically and abducting dozens of congregants, including entire families who were worshipping together.
According to community sources, the kidnappers began contacting relatives of the victims on Thursday, issuing separate ransom demands that collectively run into several billions of naira.
Chief Olusegun Olukotun, the Olori Eta of Eruku and a prominent community leader, confirmed that four of his own family members were among those taken.
He recounted being in the church with five relatives when the gunmen struck around 6:00 p.m., but managed to escape with one child by jumping through a window.
“The kidnappers have grouped the victims by family and are now reaching out to each household,” Chief Olukotun said.
“Several families have already received calls demanding ₦100 million per person. So far, I have not been contacted regarding my own relatives, but we are waiting and praying.”
The incident has plunged the quiet agrarian community into fear and despair as frantic negotiations begin between the abductors and affected families.
Residents have commended Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for promptly reaching out to the community, but they are appealing for stronger government action.
- Chief Olukotun specifically called for the immediate deployment of additional security forces to Eruku and its environs, citing the town’s vulnerable location near state and national boundaries.
He also urged the state government to better equip local vigilante groups with modern communication gadgets and weapons capable of withstanding the superior firepower often wielded by criminal gangs operating in the area.
“Properly equipped community security will go a long way in protecting lives and preventing a repeat of this kind of attack,” he added.
Security operatives are reportedly combing the surrounding forests in a bid to locate the victims and secure their release.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the Kwara State Police Command regarding the abduction or the ongoing rescue efforts.