Bandits who abducted more than 30 worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, within the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly demanded N100 million ransom for every victim.
It was learnt that the attackers have begun reaching out to the families of those taken during the Tuesday church service.
A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, whose four family members were among the abducted, confirmed the situation yesterday.
Olukotun said he was inside the church with five relatives when the ordeal happened.
The community leader explained that he and one of his wards escaped around 6:06 p.m. through the church window.
“From what we gathered from the kidnappers’ camp, they (kidnappers) have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the group.
“Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100 million for each person. But as regards my people, I have not received any call. So, I am still waiting,” he said.
Olukotun, who appreciated the government, especially Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for showing concern to the community, also urged for additional security deployment in Eruku, which lies on the border between Kogi and Kwara states.
Barely a day after the assault on the church in Eruku, suspected bandits also abducted four rice farmers at Bokungi Village in Edu Local Government Area.
Sources said the latest abduction happened on Wednesday evening while the victims were on their farms during the busy harvest period.
A community source noted that the intruders appeared suddenly and encircled the farmers as they were gathering harvested rice.
“It has been confirmed that bandits struck again at Bokungi under the Lafiagi Emirate.
“Four people were abducted. Information is still trickling in,” the source said.
Residents said the armed men operated unhindered for several minutes, forcing the farmers into the surrounding bush before taking them away to an undisclosed location.
The residents lamented the growing insecurity in Edu Local Government Area, which has forced many farming communities to flee.
Farmers say they fear attacks during the harvest season, a period when they are most exposed while working on the land.
The Kwara State Police Command and the state government had yet to release any official statement on the matter as of last night.
