Key Points

• Bandits abducted 30 to 35 worshippers from Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, demanding N100 million per person.

• Security forces, including police and military, are deployed, but police report no official ransom notification yet.

• Local leaders and community members clash with the LGA chairman over perceived security failures.

Bandits who stormed Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igan, in the Eruku community of Kwara State want N100 million for each abducted worshipper.

Church leaders and relatives shared the demand after receiving calls from the kidnappers.

Pastor Lawrence Bamidele put the number of abducted worshippers between 30 and 35. The attackers broke into the church during prayers. They fired shots into the air. They forced the worshippers into the bush.

Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, secretary of the assembly, said the kidnappers began calling families on Thursday.

They used phones seized from the victims. He explained that the gang split the abducted worshippers into groups. The first group of 11 received a ransom demand of N100 million each.

Chief Olusegun Olukotun, the Olori Eta of Eruku, also received calls from the gang. Four members of his family were taken. He escaped through a window during the attack while the others were seized.

Traditional Ruler Pushes for Faster Rescue

The Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, urged state and federal authorities to speed up the rescue effort.

Soldiers arrived on Wednesday night. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had visited the town moments earlier.

Oba Olarewaju welcomed the deployment but warned that the abducted worshippers remained in danger.

Police Respond to Reports

The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, said the command had not received an official report of ransom demands.

Tactical teams, soldiers and other security units were already operating in the area.

She urged residents to share any information that could support the rescue effort. She added that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, assured the public that security agencies were working to protect lives and property.

CAN Condemns Attack

The Christian Association of Nigeria condemned the attack. The group described it as another sign of growing danger for Christian communities.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed support for the victims, their families and the Eruku community.

He called for a thorough investigation to uncover how the attack happened and to identify any security failures. He added that the assault followed a pattern of repeated strikes on Christian populations in vulnerable regions.

Community Challenges Local Council

Tension rose in Eruku on Thursday. Residents, youths, vigilante members and some security operatives confronted the chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel. They accused him of ignoring the community despite months of attacks.

A youth leader, Shola Peters, claimed the chairman rarely visited the council area and often ignored calls from residents and traditional leaders.

Farmers said they had abandoned their land because local security groups lacked fuel and ammunition to patrol the long stretch from Osi to Eruku.

A security operative attached to a special squad said patrol teams received only 25 litres of fuel for a 120 kilometre route. Others said earlier promises of support were not fulfilled.

Council Defends Its Role

The Speaker of the Ekiti LGA Legislative Assembly, Fatoyinbo Michael, speaking for the chairman, dismissed the allegations.

He said the council mobilised vigilante groups on the night of the attack and provided the vehicle used to take an injured victim to Omu Aran General Hospital.

He listed recent council interventions. The list included repairs of a grounded police Hilux for N3.6 million, the purchase of a motorcycle for the divisional police officer and the supply of pump action rifles, ammunition and cartridges for local security operations.

He argued that claims of neglect were political and did not reflect the council’s efforts.