Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment - Newstrends
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Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment

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Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment

Residents of Eda-Oniyo Community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, calling for urgent intervention from the state and federal governments, as well as security agencies, over the continued captivity of 16 kidnapped residents despite the payment of a N10.5 million ransom. The protesters, comprising community leaders, relatives of the victims, women, and youths, said the abductees had remained in captivity for 36 days, with the kidnappers now demanding an additional N50 million for their release.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “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,” the demonstrators blocked major roads in the community, expressing profound frustration over what they described as government abandonment despite their sacrifices. Other placards read: “Eda-Oniyo as the Headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government deserves a functional and befitting division police headquarters” and “Eda-Oniyo needs forest guards, military base as a border community.”

The victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, when suspected bandits attacked a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during an evening service in the community. The attackers reportedly killed the presiding pastor, identified simply as Pastor Aregbe, and kidnapped 16 worshippers. According to residents, the kidnappers initially demanded a N1 billion ransom, which was later reduced to N150 million before being further reduced to N50 million.

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Speaking during the protest, a community leader, Ayodele Ajayi, said communication with the captives had continued intermittently, but efforts to secure their release had so far proved unsuccessful. “Our people have been in captivity for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid N10.5 million, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he said. “There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are pleading with governments at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people.”

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive

Another resident, Mrs. Bola Ajayi, made a heart-wrenching appeal to authorities, revealing the most vulnerable among those still held captive. “We have children as young as two and three years old and an elderly woman who is over 80 years old among those kidnapped. Families are suffering, and children keep asking for their mothers,” she said. “We are begging the federal, state, and local governments to help secure their release. Women are crying, children are crying, and the entire community is in pain.”

A community representative, Ayodele Oni, described the traumatic ordeal of delivering the ransom, alleging that community representatives traveled through parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into forests before handing over the money. “We raised N10.5 million, supplied two bags of rice and several other items they requested, including fuel and cigarettes. Yet our people are still being held,” Oni said. “The process of giving them the ransom was a terrible experience. We traversed parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into the bush. After collecting the money, they simply told us we would hear from them. Since then, they have continued making fresh demands.”

Oni added that the kidnappers had resumed contact with the community and were now insisting on N50 million. “Last night, we heard from them again. They are now insisting on N50 million despite everything we have already given them. Thirty-six days in the bush without proper shelter, bathing or medical care is unbearable. Our mothers, wives and children are suffering severe trauma,” he said.

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The community has also called for the establishment of a security post in Eda-Oniyo and a military base along the boundary between Ekiti and Kwara states, arguing that inadequate security presence has made the area vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. The protesters specifically demanded a functional divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards, and a military base as the community is a border area.

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has responded to the crisis, with lawmakers stating that both the state and federal governments are working “round the clock” to secure the release of the abducted persons. The lawmaker representing Ilejemeje Constituency, Iyabode Fakunle-Okieime, said the issue was raised on the floor of the house when it occurred and that a committee was constituted to address it. “That the abductees have not been rescued does not mean that the government is not doing anything about it. Ekiti State and the Federal Government are working assiduously to rescue them and security agencies mobilized to the area. All hands are on deck to ensure the safe rescue and return of the abductees,” she said.

Immediately after the abduction on April 28, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, ordered a thorough investigation and a serious manhunt for the perpetrators. The police, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, vigilantes, and local hunters, commenced aggressive bush-combing operations to rescue the victims. However, 36 days later, the victims remain in captivity.

The protest in Eda-Oniyo comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping across Nigeria. In a related development, the Ekiti State Police Command recently debunked a viral social media report claiming that a busload of passengers was kidnapped along the Aramoko-Ekiti road, describing the claim as false and a deliberate fabrication designed to create panic. The command warned that spreading false information is a criminal offence and that offenders will be prosecuted. Additionally, traditional rulers in Ekiti have renewed calls for a review of Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws and the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralized policing would provide states with stronger security architecture capable of responding effectively to local security threats.

As of press time, the 16 victims remain in captivity, now entering their 37th day since abduction. The community continues to wait anxiously for government intervention, with families holding onto hope that their loved ones—including toddlers and an octogenarian—will be safely returned home.

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment

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Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

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July 18, 2026

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Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu's intervention

Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly (NASS) to review contentious provisions of the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that parts of the legislation could infringe on constitutional rights and impose additional hardship on struggling Nigerians.

The appeal follows the passage of the FRSC Amendment Bill, 2026 by the Senate, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone found hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses, as well as stiffer penalties for several traffic-related offences. The bill is awaiting presidential assent before it can become law.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the council said it fully supports efforts aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents on Nigerian roads but insisted that such measures must respect the constitutional rights of citizens.

According to the CCN, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading among prohibited activities raises legitimate concerns over the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

The council argued that while government has a responsibility to ensure road safety, legislation should not inadvertently criminalise peaceful religious activities carried out without disrupting drivers or passengers.

It noted that commercial buses have, for decades, served as platforms where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing listeners, adding that any attempt to prohibit such activities deserves careful constitutional scrutiny.

According to the council, restricting peaceful evangelism without adequate consultation could create the perception that Christian religious expression is being unfairly targeted.

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The CCN further expressed concern over the proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawkers, describing the penalty as harsh and insensitive to the prevailing economic realities facing millions of Nigerians.

It argued that many citizens engage in hawking and informal trading due to unemployment, poverty, inflation and the rising cost of living, stressing that poverty should not be criminalised through heavy financial penalties.

Rather than relying on punitive sanctions, the council urged the Federal Government to address the root causes of street trading by creating more employment opportunities, expanding social intervention programmes and implementing sustainable economic empowerment initiatives.

It also recommended the establishment of designated trading areas and age-appropriate restrictions where necessary instead of imposing blanket penalties on vulnerable Nigerians trying to earn a living.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Federal Road Safety Corps to embark on wider consultations before the bill is signed into law.

It said the consultation process should include faith-based organisations, civil society organisations, transport unions, road safety experts, constitutional lawyers and representatives of vulnerable groups to ensure that the final legislation adequately balances public safety with fundamental human rights.

According to the CCN, Nigeria needs laws that are firm enough to protect lives on the highways but compassionate enough to avoid placing unbearable burdens on citizens already grappling with severe economic hardship.

The council maintained that legislation should promote national unity, protect fundamental freedoms and avoid creating perceptions of discrimination against any religious group.

The latest appeal comes amid growing public debate over the proposed amendment. While the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has endorsed the provision seeking to prohibit preaching in commercial buses, arguing that it would reduce driver distraction and help curb road accidents, several Christian organisations have urged the government to review the proposal to safeguard constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.

Legal analysts say the controversy surrounding the bill underscores the need for lawmakers to strike a careful balance between strengthening road safety regulations and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

With the legislation now awaiting presidential assent, stakeholders across religious, legal and civil society circles are expected to intensify advocacy over the bill before a final decision is taken by the Presidency.

Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

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EFCC secures final forfeiture of 52 luxury Lekki homes in landmark court ruling

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12 hours ago

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July 18, 2026

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EFCC secures final forfeiture of 52 luxury Lekki homes in landmark court ruling

EFCC secures final forfeiture of 52 luxury Lekki homes in landmark court ruling

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the permanent forfeiture of 52 terrace and maisonette housing units in the upscale Lekki area of Lagos State to the Federal Government, handing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) one of its biggest asset recovery victories in recent years.

Justice Alexandra Owoeye delivered the landmark judgment on July 15, 2026, after granting an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, which argued that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The forfeited properties are located at Mercyville Estate, Covenant Way, off New Road, Ilasan, Lekki, and were recovered from Fielddreams Limited, Ifeanyi Nweke and Amex Savings and Loans Limited, according to the anti-graft agency.

The ruling followed a lengthy legal process that began on August 14, 2024, when the EFCC secured an interim forfeiture order from Justice Akintayo Aluko after filing an ex parte application.

As required by law, the court directed the commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting anyone claiming ownership or interest in the properties to appear before the court and show cause why the estate should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Following the publication, the respondents filed a counter-affidavit opposing the final forfeiture application. They initially claimed that the funds used to develop the estate were generated from the sale of part of a landed property and 29 terrace and maisonette housing units, which they valued at approximately ₦1.9 billion.

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However, the respondents later changed their position by alleging that several of the housing units had not been completed. The EFCC argued that the new claim directly contradicted their earlier sworn affidavit, in which they maintained that proceeds from previous property sales were used to complete the furnishing and interior decoration of the remaining units and that construction of the estate had already been completed in 2020.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Franklin Ofoma informed the court that the commission had fully complied with the publication order issued during the interim forfeiture proceedings. He said the application for final forfeiture was supported by a 31-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Afolabi Seyi Oladele, a litigation officer in the commission’s Legal Department.

The anti-graft agency maintained that its investigations established reasonable grounds to believe that the properties represented proceeds of unlawful activities, making them liable to forfeiture under Nigeria’s asset recovery laws.

The commission also informed the court that the second respondent, Ifeanyi Nweke, is a fugitive facing criminal prosecution. According to the EFCC, Nweke failed to appear before Justice R.A. Oshodi and Justice Okunuga in separate criminal proceedings despite being required to answer charges filed against him.

The EFCC further disclosed that two subsisting warrants of arrest had already been issued against Nweke after he allegedly jumped the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the commission.

In her judgment, Justice Owoeye held that the respondents’ affidavit contained material contradictions that undermined its credibility. She ruled that the court could not selectively rely on conflicting pieces of evidence presented by the respondents.

Consequently, the judge rejected the respondents’ affidavit in its entirety, holding that there was no credible opposition to the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.

Justice Owoeye further ruled that the commission had successfully demonstrated reasonable grounds to suspect that the estate was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. She therefore granted the application and ordered that all 52 terrace and maisonette housing units be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judgment represents another significant milestone in the EFCC’s campaign against corruption, money laundering and financial crimes. In recent years, the commission has intensified the use of Nigeria’s non-conviction-based asset forfeiture framework to recover assets believed to have been acquired through illicit wealth, even where related criminal proceedings remain pending.

Legal analysts say the ruling reinforces the courts’ support for lawful asset recovery while underscoring the importance of presenting consistent and credible evidence in forfeiture proceedings.

With the judgment, ownership of the 52 housing units now officially vests in the Federal Government, which is expected to determine the future use of the properties in line with existing laws and national interest.

EFCC secures final forfeiture of 52 luxury Lekki homes in landmark court ruling

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MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses

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13 hours ago

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July 18, 2026

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MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses

MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind a proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) bill seeking to prohibit preaching and hawking inside commercial buses, describing the move as a necessary step to improve road safety and maintain public order.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the proposed legislation was “a step in the right direction” and praised the FRSC for what he described as a proactive initiative aimed at reducing distractions that could lead to road crashes.

According to MURIC, preaching inside commercial vehicles distracts drivers, increasing the risk of accidents, while also creating situations capable of causing public disturbance among passengers.

The group argued that bus preaching is inconsistent with global best practices, noting that similar activities are not permitted in commercial public transport systems in major cities such as London, Paris and Frankfurt.

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Akintola said bus preachers frequently board intra-city, inter-city and interstate commercial buses, sometimes preaching throughout long-distance journeys, a practice he described as discourteous to passengers and potentially dangerous for road users.

He said MURIC’s support for the bill is based on two key considerations: the need to minimise driver distraction and the need to prevent conflicts that may arise from unsolicited religious activities in confined public spaces.

The Islamic rights organisation further stated that passengers often tolerate bus preaching despite finding it disruptive, adding that disagreements arising from such activities have, in some cases, led to altercations.

MURIC urged members of the National Assembly to expedite consideration of the proposed bill, citing Nigeria’s persistent road safety challenges.

The group referenced FRSC road crash statistics, which showed thousands of crashes, fatalities and injuries recorded across the country in recent years, arguing that measures capable of reducing distractions on the roads should receive legislative backing.

Akintola also observed that bus preaching is more commonly associated with Christian evangelists and called on Christian leaders and churches, particularly in the South-West, to discourage the practice among their members.

He maintained that preventing distractions capable of contributing to fatal road crashes should take precedence in efforts to improve road safety nationwide.

The proposed FRSC bill also seeks to prohibit hawking on highways and prescribes penalties for violations as part of broader efforts to enhance safety on Nigerian roads.

MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses

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