From Kayemo News
Forty eight hours after abducting 15 worshippers at a crusade in Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government area of Ekiti State, the kidnappers have demanded for N1 billion as ransom payments for the victims.
This was as residents and traditional rulers of the community have called on Ekiti State Government to ban religious activities after 6:00 pm to curb unwanted security challenge around the area
Latest information from the town indicated that no fewer than 15 worshippers have been kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded Eda-Oniyo, CAC church killing a visiting Pastor who came for the revival.
The Eleda of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Awolola, disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted the community and demanded N1bn ransom for the release of the abducted worshippers.
According to the monarch, about 15 worshippers including aged and children were abducted during the attack
“The kidnappers are demanding N1bn ransom from the community before they can release the victims,” he said.
Residents who spoke with our reporter described the ugly incident as one of the most traumatic experience in the history of the community.
A resident, who spoke in confidence, said many families had been left devastated since the attack.
“Some of those abducted are elderly persons and children. The entire community has been in fear since the incident happened,” he said.
The Chairman of Ilejemeje Council Area, Pius Alaba, also confirmed that no fewer than 15 persons were abducted during the vigil.
He said local authorities had previously advised churches and religious organisations against holding late-night programmes due to the prevailing security situation.
“Before now, we had sent messages to CAN and religious leaders to discourage vigils and programmes extending beyond 5pm because of the security challenges in the country,” Alaba said.
Meanwhile, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Bamidele Ajayi, urged security agencies to be discreet in their operation, warning that informants within communities could compromise rescue efforts.
He also suggested that the government should consider restricting religious activities beyond 6pm in the interest of public safety.
“There are people within communities who do not want peace to reign. Security agencies should avoid publicising bush-combing operations ahead of time,” the monarch stated.
A delegation of the Ekiti State Government led by the Special Adviser on Security, Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.), visited the community to sympathise with residents and the traditional rulers over the attack.
Ogundana said the state government had, for weeks, intensified bush-combing operations around border communities to prevent incursions from neighbouring Kogi and Kwara states.
Ogundana assured residents that the government and security agencies were committed to rescuing the abducted worshippers and bringing perpetrators to justice.
He said, “Government will rescue the worshippers unharmed. The security agencies, including the Army, Police, and Amotekun Corps, are already in the forests tracking the kidnappers.
“Government is making every effort to ensure peace and guarantee the safety of lives and property in Ekiti State,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Falade Micheal said operatives, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, vigilantes, and local hunters, had commenced aggressive bush-combing operations to rescue the abducted victims and track down the attackers.
The Commissioner of Police also noted that officers had patrolled the ancient community earlier on Tuesday but were unaware that a vigil programme would be held in the area.
End.