By Ayo Kehinde
Panic and outrage have enveloped Eda-Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State following the abduction of 15 worshippers during a night vigil at a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), with the kidnappers reportedly demanding a staggering N1 billion ransom for their release.
The victims were kidnapped on Tuesday night when heavily gunmen invaded Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) No. 2, Eda-Oniyo, during an ongoing vigil service. The attackers also shot dead a guest pastor during the operation before whisking away the worshippers into the bush.
The development has heightened fears over worsening insecurity in parts of Ekiti State, particularly in rural communities now increasingly vulnerable to attacks by suspected kidnappers and armed gangs.
The Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, disclosed the ransom demand on Wednesday while receiving a high-powered security delegation sent by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations.
According to the monarch, the abductors had established contact with members of the community and demanded N1 billion before the victims could be released.
Oba Awolola described the incident as devastating and unprecedented in the history of the peaceful agrarian community, noting that residents were still traumatised by the violent attack and killing of the cleric.
The monarch appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
He also assured the authorities of the readiness of traditional rulers and community leaders to collaborate with security operatives by providing intelligence and local support aimed at tracking the kidnappers.
The government delegation was led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana, and included the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael Falade, alongside the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mr Pius Alaba.
Speaking during the visit, Alaba revealed that among those abducted was an entire family consisting of a woman and her three children, a revelation that further deepened public concern over the humanitarian dimension of the incident.
The council chairman said security agencies had already intensified search-and-rescue operations across forests and suspected hideouts within and around the local government area.
He assured residents that government and security operatives were fully committed to rescuing the victims alive and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
The Ekiti State Government, meanwhile, condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as “heinous,” “barbaric,” and completely unacceptable.
In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, the government expressed condolences to the families affected by the incident, particularly relatives of the slain pastor.
“The government extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims who died and assures them of its commitment to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity,” the statement said.
The government disclosed that Governor Oyebanji had immediately ordered the deployment of top security personnel and additional military assets to the troubled community following reports of the attack.
According to the statement, Brigadier-General Ogundana (retd.) was directed to lead on-the-ground coordination of security operations in collaboration with all relevant agencies.
“This effort is being carried out in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, and other relevant security agencies to ensure a robust and unified security response,” the statement added.
The government also confirmed the immediate deployment of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and its Commanding Officer to strengthen security presence in the area.
Authorities further disclosed that extensive surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations had commenced to track the abductors and prevent further attacks.
“Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to comprehensively monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators, and forestall any further security breaches,” the statement added.
The attack has again drawn attention to the growing wave of kidnappings targeting worship centres, commuters, and rural settlements across several parts of Nigeria.
Residents of Eda-Oniyo and neighbouring communities have called for sustained military operations and permanent security formations in the area, warning that criminal elements were increasingly taking advantage of isolated communities and porous forest routes.
Community leaders also urged the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms and improve rapid-response capacity to tackle the rising threat of abduction-for-ransom across the country.
As of the time of filing this report, the abducted worshippers remained in captivity, while security operatives continued coordinated rescue operations across the area.
