Kwara kidnap: Bandits demand N3.8bn ransom to release 38 worshippers
Abductors of 38 worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have placed N100 ransom on the head of each victim.
A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, whose four relatives were among the kidnapped victims confirmed this to LEADERSHIP on Thursday.
Olukotun, who said he was in the church with five of his family members when the incident occurred, said he and one of his wards escaped the attack around 6:06 p.m through the church’s window.
He confirmed that the kidnappers have made contact with the people of the community and are demanding N100m as ransom for each of the 38 victims.
“From what we gathered from the kidnappers’ camp, they (kidnappers) have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the groups.
Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100m for each person, but as regards my own people, I have not received any call concerning them, so I am still waiting,” he said.
Olukotun, who expressed gratitude to the government, particularly Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRahma, for identifying with the community on the attack, also appealed for more security presence in Eruku, being a border community, to ensure the security of life and property of the populace.
He also called for the fortification of the community’s vigilante members with relevant and more sophisticated combat weapons that would match those of the kidnappers in case of armed attack.
On Tuesday, the bandits attacked a live-streamed service at Christ Apostolic Church in Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State, abducting worshippers and killing two people.
A local vigilante, Segun Ajala, was also injured and rushed to a hospital. The deceased were identified as Tunde Ajayi, whose body was found in the bush, and Mr. Aderemi, who was shot inside the church.
The attack comes amid growing concerns over violence against Christians in Nigeria, with similar incidents reported in Okene, Kogi, and Owo, Ondo State.
