Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ekiti State staged a protest on Wednesday over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted during a church attack, despite the community paying a ransom of N10.5 million. The victims, including women, children, and an elderly woman, were taken by gunmen who stormed a Christ Apostolic Church on April 28, killing the pastor. The community raised and delivered the ransom along with other supplies, but the kidnappers did not release the captives. Protesters are now calling on the Federal Government and Ekiti State authorities to intensify rescue efforts and improve security in the area.
Community in Despair
According to reports, the kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion, later reducing the amount to N150 million, then to N50 million. The community pooled together N10.5 million and trekked through parts of Kwara and Kogi states to deliver the ransom, along with two bags of rice, fuel, cigarettes, and other provisions. However, after collecting the money, the abductors simply said they would be in touch and have since made fresh demands, now asking for N50 million.
Resident Ayodele Oni described the ordeal: "The process of giving them the ransom was a terrible experience. After collecting the money, they simply told us we would hear from them. Since then, they have continued making fresh demands."
Protest and Demands
The protesters carried placards addressed to President Tinubu and the Ekiti State Government, with messages such as "President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing" and "We reject terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo." Community leaders, women, youths, and relatives of the victims joined the march, expressing frustration that they had done everything asked but received nothing in return.
Another resident, Bose Ajayi, painted a picture of a community in pain: "Families are suffering and children keep asking for their mothers. Women are crying, children are crying, and the entire community is in pain."
Call for Security Measures
Beyond the immediate crisis, demonstrators demanded structural changes to prevent future attacks. Their requests include a functional divisional police headquarters in the area, deployment of forest guards, and the establishment of a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border, a corridor that has become increasingly dangerous.
Resident Ajayi Ayodele summed up the anguish: "Thirty-six days in the bush without proper shelter, bathing, or medical care is unbearable. Our mothers, wives, and children are suffering severe trauma."
Neither the Federal Government nor the Ekiti State Government has publicly responded to the community's appeals. Security agencies have yet to comment on the status of rescue operations.
