RismadarVoice Reporters, June 3, 2026
Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted by gunmen more than a month ago, despite the payment of ₦10.5 million ransom.
The protesters, made up of community leaders, women, youths, relatives and friends of the victims, appealed to the Federal Government, Ekiti State Government and security agencies to urgently intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees.
The victims were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo when armed men invaded the church and killed the presiding pastor before abducting worshippers.
According to community members, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion, later reduced the demand to ₦150 million, and subsequently to ₦50 million.
However, residents said they were only able to raise ₦10.5 million, which was paid to the abductors, yet the victims have not been released.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing,” “FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers,” and “We reject terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo,” the demonstrators expressed frustration over the prolonged captivity of their loved ones.
They also called for enhanced security measures in the area, including the establishment of a functional divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards and the siting of a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border, which they described as a security flashpoint.
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 pleading with the government at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people,” he said.
Ayodele lamented that the victims had spent 36 days in captivity despite the community’s efforts to secure their freedom.
“Our people have been kidnapped for 36 days. 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 had gone beyond raising money by supplying food items and other materials demanded by the abductors.
“We raised ₦10.5 million, supplied two bags of rice and several other items that the bandits requested. They even demanded fuel, cigarettes and other provisions. We complied with all these demands, yet our people are still being held,” he said.
According to Oni, the kidnappers recently re-established contact with the community and are now demanding ₦50 million.
“Yesterday night, we heard from them again. They are now insisting on ₦50 million despite everything we have already given them,” he said.
He described the ransom delivery process as traumatic, alleging that community representatives travelled through parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into the forest to deliver the money.
“Thirty-six days in the bush without proper shelter, bathing or medical care is unbearable. Our mothers, wives and children are suffering severe trauma,” he said.
Also speaking, Bose Ajayi appealed for urgent intervention by government authorities and security agencies.
“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,” she said.
“We are begging the Federal Government, the state government and the local government to help secure their release. Women are crying, children are crying and the entire community is in pain.”
The protesters maintained that inadequate security infrastructure has left the community exposed to repeated attacks and urged authorities to strengthen security presence in the area to prevent future incidents.
The demonstration highlights growing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Ekiti State and neighbouring communities along the state’s border corridors.
