By TENSION has gripped the town of Eruku in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State after terrorists who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan, demanded N100 million ransom for each abducted worshipper.
Stonix News reported that gunmen stormed the church during a Tuesday evening service, firing sporadically before seizing between 30 and 35 worshippers and marching them into the surrounding forest, the pastor in charge, Lawrence Bamidele, had confirmed.
Family members and community leaders said on Thursday that the kidnappers had begun contacting relatives using the victims’ mobile phones.
The attacked church
The church secretary, Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, said several families had already been reached.
“It is true that the bandits have started calling families using the victims’ phones,” he said. “We were told they grouped the victims. The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay N100 million each.”
The Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, who has four relatives among the abducted, also confirmed receiving updates.
“Some families have been contacted and told to pay N100 million per person. The kidnappers are calling based on how they grouped the victims,” he stated.
Recounting the incident, Olukotun said he was in the church with five family members when the armed men struck.
He managed to escape through a window, while the others were taken.
Meanwhile, the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, has appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
The monarch disclosed that soldiers arrived in the community shortly after the state governor’s visit.
“The presence of soldiers gave us some assurance,” he said. “But we are still appealing for more effort to rescue our people quickly.”
However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the police had not received any official report of ransom demands.
“We are not aware of any ransom requests or contacts made with the families,” she said, adding that tactical teams from the police, military and other security agencies were already on ground.
READ ALSO: https://stonixnews.com/christian-genocide-fg-says-trumps-remarks-embolden-violent-groups-in-nigeria/
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, urged residents to provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
“The police will continue to do everything possible to secure lives and property in Kwara State,” the PPRO added.
The attack has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in Kwara, a state previously regarded as relatively stable in the North-Central region, amid growing fears of expanding bandit activity.
What's your reaction?
