Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State protested on Wednesday over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers kidnapped by gunmen despite the payment of a N10.5 million ransom.
The protesters, including community leaders, women, youths, relatives and friends of the victims, urged the Federal Government, Ekiti State Government and security agencies to step up efforts to secure their release.
The worshippers were abducted on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo after gunmen stormed the church and killed the presiding pastor. Residents said the kidnappers first demanded N1 billion, later reduced it to N150 million and then N50 million.
Although the community raised and paid N10.5 million, the victims remain in captivity.
Protesters carried placards reading “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing,” “FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers,” and “We reject terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo.”
Resident Ajayi Ayodele said most of the 16 victims were women, alongside two young boys.
“There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are pleading with the government at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people,” he said.
“Our people have been kidnapped for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid ₦10.5million ransom, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he added.
Another resident, Ayodele Oni, said the community also provided rice, fuel, cigarettes and other items demanded by the abductors.
“We raised ₦10.5m, supplied two bags of rice and several other items that the bandits requested. They even demanded fuel, cigarettes and other provisions. We complied with all these demands, yet our people are still being held,” he said.
Oni said the kidnappers had resumed contact and were again demanding N50 million.
Bose Ajayi appealed for urgent intervention, saying families were suffering as children and an elderly woman were among those abducted. Protesters also demanded stronger security, including a functional divisional police headquarters, forest guards and a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border.
