According to reports, the bandits who abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church in Oke-Igan, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, wanted a ransom of ₦100 million for each victim.
Lawrence Bamidele, the lead pastor, said that between thirty and thirty-five people were abducted during the violent attack on Tuesday night during the church’s session.
Local officials and several family members confirmed on Thursday that the kidnappers had begun contacting the victims’ relatives via their phones.
A few houses have already been contacted by the kidnappers, according to CAC assembly secretary Elder Josiah Agbabiaka.
“It is true that the bandits have started contacting family members using the victims’ phones to demand ransom,” Agbabiaka said.
“From what we were told, they grouped the victims. The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay N100m each.”
Also confirming the development, the Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, whose four family members were among those abducted, said the kidnappers were reaching out systematically.
“Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100m for each person. They said the victims were grouped, and they are calling each group’s relatives,”
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Olukotun, who narrated that he was inside the church with five members of his family during the attack, said he managed to escape through a window while others were taken away.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of the town, Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, has appealed for urgent government intervention to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
The monarch commended the swift deployment of military personnel to the community following the visit of the state governor, but stressed that more needed to be done.
“Last night, soldiers entered our community minutes after the governor visited. Their presence gave us some assurance that the government is responding,” the monarch said.
“But we are still appealing that efforts should be intensified to rescue our people as quickly as possible.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had not received any official report of ransom demand.
