By Kamsi Anayo
Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in the community, despite the payment of ₦10.5 million ransom.
The victims were kidnapped on April 28 during an evening service when armed men invaded the church, killed the presiding pastor, and forced worshippers into the bush. More than a month later, they remain in captivity.
The protesters, made up of family members, community leaders, women, and youths, marched through parts of the community carrying placards and calling for urgent intervention from security agencies and the federal government.
Some of the messages appealed directly to the administration of the Bola Tinubu, urging immediate action to secure the release of the abductees.
Residents said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion, later reduced it to ₦150 million, and then ₦50 million. The community eventually raised ₦10.5 million along with food items and other supplies reportedly requested during negotiations, but the victims were not released.
Ajayi Ayodele, a resident, said the abducted persons include mostly women, with two young boys among them.
“There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys,” he said. “We are pleading with the government at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people.”
He added that the situation has stretched for 36 days. “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.”
Another resident, Ayodele Oni, said the community had gone beyond financial contributions in an attempt to secure the victims’ release.
“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.
