In a disturbing development following Tuesday's brutal attack on a Kwara State church, bandits have contacted families of the abducted worshippers, demanding a staggering N100 million ransom for each hostage.
Hostages Grouped for Ransom Demands
The gunmen who raided Christ Apostolic Church Oke Igan in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, have reportedly divided their captives into groups and are making separate ransom calls to relatives using phones seized during the attack.
Josiah Agbabiaka, secretary of the affected church, confirmed the development to journalists on Thursday. "It is true that the bandits have started contacting family members using the victims' phones to demand ransom. From what we were told, they grouped the victims. The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay N100 million each," Agbabiaka stated.
Community Leaders Confirm Ransom Demands
Chief Olusegun Olukotun, the Olori Eta of Eruku, whose relatives are among those captured, also verified the ransom demands. The community leader, who narrowly escaped the attack by fleeing through a church window, revealed that four members of his own family were taken during the assault.
"Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100 million for each person. They said the victims were grouped and they are calling each group's relatives," Olukotun told Punch newspaper.
The traditional ruler of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, has appealed for immediate government intervention to secure the safe return of the abducted worshippers. While praising the rapid deployment of soldiers following Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq's visit on Wednesday, the monarch emphasized the need for intensified rescue efforts.
Security Agencies Deny Knowledge of Ransom Demands
In contrast to the accounts from families and community leaders, the Kwara State Police Command has denied receiving any formal reports about ransom demands.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi explained that joint security operations involving police, military, and other agencies are actively underway to locate and rescue the hostages.
"We are not aware of any demand for ransom or contact made to the family members of the victims. Our tactical teams, alongside the military and other security agencies, are on ground and making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted victims," Adeyemi stated.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, resulted in three fatalities alongside the multiple abductions, including the church pastor. This incident has heightened concerns about the spread of violent crimes into rural communities previously considered safe havens in Kwara State.
