Kidnappers demand N1bn ransom for 15 abducted worshippers in Ekiti

The traditional ruler of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, has revealed that abductors of 15 worshippers in Eda-Oniyo have demanded a staggering N1 billion ransom for their release.

According to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the victims were kidnapped during a night vigil at the Christ Apostolic Church No. 2 in Ilejemeje Local Government Area on Tuesday.

The monarch disclosed that the kidnappers have made contact and issued the ransom demand, raising alarm within the community and beyond.

A guest pastor to the church was also killed during the incident.

Oba Awolola disclosed this during the visit of a government delegation to the community on Wednesday.

The delegation led by Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, also included the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael Falade, and the Ilejemeje Council Chairman, Mr Pius Alaba.

The traditional ruler expressed the traditional council’s readiness to cooperate and assist the government in curtailing such an ugly incident within the council.

In his remarks, the chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mr Pius Alaba, said among those abducted was a family of four, comprising a mother and her three children.

‎Alaba said that efforts were ongoing to facilitate the release of the kidnapped victims.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti government, through its Commissioner of Information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, has condemned the attack on the worshippers.

Olatubosun described the incident as heinous and unacceptable.

“The government extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims who died and assures them of its commitment to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.

“In swift response to the incident, the state government has deployed a high-powered security delegation led by the special adviser to the governor on security matters, Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.), to coordinate on-ground operations in the affected community.

“This effort is being carried out in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, and other relevant security agencies to ensure a robust and unified security response.

“Furthermore, the government has ordered the immediate deployment of the 148th Battalion of the Nigerian Army, alongside its commanding officer, to the area.

“Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to comprehensively monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators, and forestall any further security breaches,” the special adviser said.

(NAN)