Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the continued captivity of 16 church members abducted more than a month ago. The demonstrators, made up of community leaders, women, youths and relatives of the victims, carried placards appealing to the Federal Government, Ekiti State Government and security agencies to intervene.

The victims were seized on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in the border community. Armed men stormed the church, shot the presiding pastor dead and dragged the worshippers into a nearby forest. According to community sources, most of those held are women, alongside two young boys and elderly persons.

The kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion before lowering the ransom to ₦150 million and later ₦50 million. The community pooled resources and paid ₦10.5 million, but the captives have remained in captivity for 36 days. Residents say the abductors are now asking for an additional ₦50 million for their release.

Protesters expressed frustration over what they described as a slow response to the crisis. Their placards read “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing” and “We reject terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo”. They also called for stronger security infrastructure in the area, including a divisional police headquarters, forest guards and a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border.

The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, said rescue operations are ongoing and described the situation as a sensitive security matter. An inter-agency team comprising the Army, Police, DSS, Amotekun Corps, Civil Defence and local vigilantes is combing the forests to secure the victims’ release.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has condemned the attack and announced measures such as suspending night vigils. He advised religious groups to hold gatherings during daylight hours for safety.

Eda Oniyo shares a boundary with Kwara State, an area that has seen rising cases of kidnapping and bandit attacks. The community is now pleading for urgent government action to end the ordeal of the families still waiting for their loved ones to return.

Sources: Punch Newspapers, Channels TV, Tribune Online