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.”

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