Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted by gunmen more than a month ago, despite the payment of a ransom reportedly raised by the community.
The demonstrators, including community leaders, women, youths, relatives and sympathizers of the victims, appealed to the Federal Government, the Ekiti State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees.
The victims were kidnapped on April 28 when armed men reportedly invaded a church service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, killing the presiding pastor and abducting several worshippers.
According to accounts from community members, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion before reducing the demand to ₦150 million and later ₦50 million. Residents said the community eventually raised and paid ₦10.5 million, but the victims remain in captivity.
During Wednesday’s protest, residents carried placards with messages calling for urgent government intervention and stronger security measures to tackle kidnapping and violent crime in the area.
Community members also called for improved security infrastructure, including the establishment of a functional divisional police headquarters, the deployment of forest guards and the creation of a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border.
Speaking during the protest, some residents said the abductees include mostly women as well as two young boys, adding that the victims had remained in captivity for more than five weeks.
They expressed frustration that despite the financial contributions and sacrifices made by residents to meet the kidnappers’ demands, the abductors had allegedly continued to demand additional payments.
Residents further claimed that the community had provided food items and other supplies requested by the kidnappers in addition to the ransom payment.
According to them, the abductors recently re-established contact and are now demanding ₦50 million for the victims’ release.
Community members also voiced concerns about the welfare of those being held, noting that elderly persons, women and young children were among the captives and may be facing severe hardship after spending several weeks in captivity.
The protesters urged authorities to strengthen security presence in the area, arguing that inadequate security infrastructure has left communities vulnerable to attacks by kidnappers and other criminal groups.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not publicly commented on the latest claims by residents regarding the ransom payment and ongoing negotiations with the abductors.
The incident is the latest in a series of kidnapping cases that have heightened concerns over security in parts of Ekiti State and neighbouring communities along the state’s border corridors.
