Kwara State authorities are on high alert after approximately 35 worshippers were abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church in Oke-Igan, Eruku, during a violent attack on Tuesday evening.
Sources within families of the victims and community leaders have confirmed that the kidnappers have contacted relatives, reportedly using the phones of those seized, to demand N100 million per person.
Josiah Agbabiaka, Secretary of the CAC assembly, said: “It is true that the bandits have started contacting family members using the victims’ phones to demand ransom. The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay N100 million each.”
Chief Olusegun Olukotun, Olori Eta of Eruku, who had four family members among the abducted, described the kidnappers’ systematic approach. “Some in the community have received calls demanding N100 million for each person. They grouped the victims and are calling each group’s relatives,” he said. Olukotun added that he managed to escape through a window during the raid.
Oba Busari Olarewaju, the Owa of Eruku, has appealed for urgent government action to secure the release of those taken.
He commended the rapid deployment of military personnel following a visit by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Wednesday but stressed that efforts must be intensified.
“Last night, soldiers entered our community minutes after the governor visited. Their presence gave us some assurance that the government is responding. But we are still appealing that efforts should be intensified to rescue our people as quickly as possible,” he said.
When contacted by newsmen, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, declined to comment, directing enquiries to the police.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, told reporters that the command had not received official confirmation of any ransom demands.
“Our tactical teams, alongside the military and other security agencies, are on the ground and making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted victims,” she said.
Ejire-Adeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, had urged community members and relatives to provide timely information to aid operations.
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