Terrorists keep 16 Ekiti victims after paid 10m ransom

Temper rose earlier this week as locals in Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State took to the streets in protest against abducted 16 indigenes

Suspected Fulani armed men jad abducted 16 people in the community. They demanded for a huge ransom of N10m which was paid, yet the abductors held on to the victims

Irohinodua reports that the terrorists had stormed a Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC) taking away worshipers at gun point

On Tuesday, youths and relatives of the victims, accused authorities of failing to secure the release of the abductees, who have remained in captivity for 36 days.

Kidnapping cases in Ilejemeje Local Government Area (headquarters: Eda Oniyo) involves a history of targeted assaults on travelers, political figures, and worshippers by armed bandits. These attacks are frequently concentrated on rural roads and outskirts bordering Kwara State.

Leaders of Eda-Oniyo Community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State spoke during a peaceful protest over the continued captivity of 16 residents abducted by gunmen during a church service, despite the payment of ₦10.5million ransom and other items demanded by their captors.

The victims were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, when armed men suspected to be bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during a worship service in the community.

During the attack, the church’s presiding pastor was reportedly killed while 16 worshippers were taken away by the gunmen.

The protesters told irohin oodua that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦1billion before reducing it to ₦150million and later ₦50million.

However, despite the community raising and paying ₦10.5million alongside other materials requested by the abductors, the victims have not been released

Speaking during the protest, a community leader, Ayodele Ajayi, said residents had exhausted their resources in efforts to secure the freedom of their loved ones.

“Our people have been in captivity for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid ₦10.5million, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money.

“There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are pleading with governments at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people,” Ajayi said.

Another resident, Mrs Ajayi, lamented that children and elderly persons were among those still being held by the kidnappers.

“We have children as young as two and three years old and an elderly woman who is over 80 years old among those kidnapped. Families are suffering, and children keep asking for their mothers.

“We are begging the federal, state and local governments to help secure their release. Women are crying, children are crying, and the entire community is in pain,” she said.

A community representative, Ayodele Oni, said residents felt abandoned after complying with all the demands made by the kidnappers.

“We raised ₦10.5million, supplied two bags of rice and several other items they requested, including fuel and cigarettes. Yet our people are still being held,” he said.

The protesters also demanded the establishment of a permanent security post in Eda-Oniyo and a military base along the Ekiti-Kwara boundary, which they said has become a major route for criminal gangs operating across the region.

According to them, the absence of adequate security presence has left several communities vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.