Kidnappers Demand N100 Million Ransom for Abducted Women in Ekiti Community
In a distressing development that has shaken the peaceful community of Erinmope-Ekiti, kidnappers are demanding a staggering ransom of N100 million for the release of five abducted women. The victims include a pregnant woman who is nine months along and a nursing mother, adding layers of urgency and concern to this harrowing situation.
Details of the Saturday Evening Attack
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening, January 24, 2026, when armed assailants stormed a family residence in Erinmope-Ekiti, located within the Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State. According to Muhammad Saliu Okanlawon, the 60-year-old head of the affected family who works as a cattle dealer, the gunmen invaded their home at approximately 7:00 p.m., firing sporadically to create panic and confusion.
The male family members were attending prayers at the local mosque during the attack, leaving the women vulnerable. Okanlawon explained that it was only after the attackers had departed that the family discovered five female members were missing from their household.
Identification of the Victims
The kidnapped women have been identified as Kehinde Mahmud, Adijat Hussein, Hawawu Suleiman, and two individuals named Fatima. These victims represent the wives and children of Okanlawon's younger brother and son, making this a deeply personal family tragedy.
"One of the victims is nine months pregnant; you can imagine the trauma she must be going through," lamented Okanlawon during his account of the incident on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. "This is a very painful experience for our family."
Security Response and Investigation Challenges
Security agencies were immediately alerted following the abduction and responded with commendable speed. A combined team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Amotekun Corps, and other security operatives mobilized quickly to pursue the kidnappers.
"I must commend the swift response of the security operatives," acknowledged Okanlawon. "Even the Area Commander came around. They trailed the assailants, but they could not be tracked."
Investigations revealed that the kidnappers deviated from their usual escape route through Osin in neighboring Kwara State. Instead, they appear to have mingled with community members to conceal their identities, making the tracking operation particularly challenging for security forces.
Ransom Demand and Family's Desperate Plea
The kidnappers made contact with the family only once since the Saturday night abduction, demanding the exorbitant N100 million ransom for the release of their captives. Since that initial communication, there has been no further contact, leaving the family in agonizing uncertainty.
"They called just once to demand N100 million, and since then we have not heard from them again," revealed the distressed family head. "We are using this medium to appeal to the government to come to our rescue. We honestly do not know what to do anymore."
The family has emphasized their inability to raise such an enormous sum, stressing that paying the demanded ransom is far beyond their financial means. This has intensified their appeal for governmental intervention and support.
Unprecedented Incident in the Community
Okanlawon described the kidnapping as particularly shocking because such attacks have never occurred before in Erinmope-Ekiti. "We have lived in this community for over 70 years, even though we are originally from Kwara State," he noted. "Erinmope is the only home we know, and we have never experienced anything like this before."
A community leader who spoke anonymously confirmed the development to Nigerian Tribune, adding that security agencies remain mobilized and are actively working toward securing the safe release of the victims. The community, which borders Kwara State, now finds itself grappling with a security challenge that has shattered its longstanding peace.
This incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in Nigeria's southwestern region and raises urgent questions about protection for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children in border communities.
