Residents of Eda-Oniyo Community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted by gunmen despite the payment of N10.5 million ransom and other items demanded by the kidnappers. The demonstrators, comprising community leaders, women, youths, relatives and friends of the victims, appealed to the Federal Government, Ekiti State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees who have remained in captivity for 36 days.
The victims were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo when gunmen invaded the church and killed the presiding pastor before abducting 16 worshippers. According to residents, the kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion ransom, later reducing it to N150 million and subsequently N50 million. The community, however, raised N10.5 million and paid the amount alongside other materials requested, but the victims remain in captivity.
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 protesters expressed frustration over the prolonged ordeal. A resident, Ajayi Ayodele, said the 16 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 remained in captivity for 36 days despite the community’s efforts to secure their release.
Speaking during the protest, community leader Ayodele Ajayi said communication with the captives had continued intermittently, but efforts to secure their release had so far proved unsuccessful. “Our people have been in captivity for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid N10.5 million, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he stated. He added that the kidnappers were now demanding an additional N50 million for their release.
The demonstrators also called for improved security infrastructure in the area, including a functional divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards and the establishment of a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border, which has become a major corridor for bandits. The protest, which took place on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, marks more than five weeks since the abduction when armed men suspected to be bandits invaded the Christ Apostolic Church during a night vigil, killing the presiding pastor and taking 16 worshippers into the surrounding forest. Among the captives are children as young as two and three years old, as well as an elderly woman over 80 years old.
The latest incident has heightened fears across Ekiti State as communities continue to grapple with rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity. The Eda-Oniyo Progressive Union and traditional rulers have repeatedly appealed to the state government to intensify security measures, particularly in border areas linking the state with Kwara State. Governor Biodun Oyebanji has condemned the attack and reiterated commitment to tackling insecurity, announcing precautionary measures including the suspension of night vigils and advising that religious activities be held during the day for safety reasons.
