Kidnappers of worshippers in Ekiti demand N1bn ransom

Oba Joseph Awolola, the traditional leader of Eda-Oniyo, has spoken about the kidnappers who held 15 worshippers hostage in Eda-Oniyo, demanding as high as one billion Naira from them to be set free.

As reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the victims were kidnapped when they were having a night vigil at Christ Apostolic Church No. 2 in Ilejemeje Local Government Area on Tuesday.

The traditional ruler added that there has been communication between the kidnappers and themselves and that the ransom has been demanded.

The kidnap incident also saw a guest pastor at the church murdered.

These claims were made when Obaji paid an official visit to the community on Wednesday.

The delegation was led by Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, alongside Mr Michael Falade, the Commissioner of Police, and Mr Pius Alaba, chairman of Ilejemeje Council.

Traditional ruler conveyed the willingness of the traditional council to work hand in hand and help the government in stopping this kind of terrible occurrence within their traditional council.

Speaking during his speech, Chairman of the Ilejemeje LGA, Mr Pius Alaba, revealed that the kidnappers took away a family of four that comprised a mother and three children.

‎According to Alaba, steps are being taken towards ensuring that those that were kidnapped get freed.

However, the government of Ekiti State has been condemning the violent act against the congregation as conveyed by its commissioner of information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun.

He described this incident as terrible and unacceptable.

“Government wishes to extend its profound condolences to the families of those lost in this tragic occurrence and assure them of the government’s total determination to bring back those kidnapped into custody.

“The government has quickly acted on this development by sending a highly powerful security delegation led by the governor’s special adviser on security, Brig-Gen Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.).”

“This exercise will be conducted in close cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Security Corporation, vigilante forces, and other security agencies to achieve a well-coordinated security operation.

“Meanwhile, the government has instructed that the 148th Battalion of the Nigerian Army be urgently deployed to the scene, including the commanding officer of the battalion.

“Complete surveillance exercises are also under way to ensure that the environment is thoroughly surveyed for the arrest of the culprits and to prevent any future security breach,” the special adviser stated.”

(NAN)