Ekiti residents protest as kidnappers hold 16 worshippers

Residents of Eda Oniyo in Nigeria's Ekiti State took to the streets Wednesday, protesting the prolonged captivity of 16 worshippers. The community has been in anguish since the group was abducted on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church, an incident that also claimed the life of the presiding pastor.

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President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing

Despite raising and paying N10.5 million in ransom, the kidnappers have refused to release the captives. Community leaders, women, youths, and relatives of the victims carried placards with desperate pleas addressed to the Federal Government and President Tinubu. Their inscriptions read: "President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing," and "FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers."

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FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers

The protesters expressed deep frustration, revealing that the initial ransom demand of N1 billion was reduced to N150 million and then N50 million. Even after the community pooled resources to pay N10.5 million and supplied food items, fuel, cigarettes, and other provisions, the abductors remain unyielding. Residents reported that the kidnappers re-established contact, now demanding N50 million.

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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

Beyond the immediate crisis, the demonstrators also highlighted the dire need for enhanced security. They called for a functional divisional police headquarters, the deployment of forest guards, and the establishment of a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border, underscoring a broader concern for safety in the region.

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