Residents of Eda Oniyo Community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted by gunmen, despite the payment of a ₦10.5 million ransom.
The protesters, comprising community leaders, women, youths, relatives, and friends of the victims, appealed to the Federal Government, Ekiti State Government, and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the victims were kidnapped on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo after armed men stormed the church and killed the presiding pastor.
According to residents, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦1 billion before reducing it to ₦150 million and later ₦50 million. However, the community was only able to raise ₦10.5 million, which was paid to the abductors. Despite this, the victims remain in captivity.
Carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing,” “FG and Ekiti State Government, rescue our loved ones,” and “We reject kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in Eda Oniyo,” the protesters expressed frustration over the prolonged detention of their community members.
They also called for improved security measures in the area, including the establishment of a functional divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards, and the creation of a military base along the Ekiti-Kwara border corridor.
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Speaking during the protest, a resident, Ajayi Ayodele, disclosed that the abductees include mostly women and two young boys.
“There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are appealing to all levels of government to help rescue our people,” he said.
Ayodele lamented that the victims had spent 36 days in captivity despite the community’s efforts and sacrifices.
“We contributed what we could as a community and paid ₦10.5 million ransom, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he added.
Another resident, Ayodele Oni, said the community not only raised the ransom but also provided food items and other supplies requested by the abductors.
“We raised ₦10.5 million, supplied two bags of rice and several other items they demanded, including fuel and cigarettes. Yet our people are still being held. The kidnappers have now resumed contact and are demanding an additional ₦50 million,” he said.
Oni described the ransom delivery process as traumatic, revealing that community representatives travelled through parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into the forest before handing over the money.
He expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the captives, noting that they had spent over a month in the bush without proper shelter, medical care, or basic necessities.
Also speaking, Bose Ajayi appealed for urgent intervention from authorities, noting that the victims include young children and an elderly woman.
“We have children as young as two and three years old and an elderly woman above 80 years among those abducted. Families are devastated, and children keep asking for their mothers. We are pleading with the government and security agencies to help bring them home safely,” she said.
The protesters maintained that the lack of adequate security infrastructure in the area has left the community vulnerable to recurring attacks and urged authorities to take decisive action to prevent further incidents.