Outrage in Kwara as Bandits Seek ₦100m Per Victim After Church Abduction

Bandits who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have demanded ₦100 million ransom for each of the abducted victims.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the church on Tuesday evening during a thanksgiving service, killing three worshippers and abducting no fewer than 30 others. Some residents put the figure at 35.

A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, confirmed that the kidnappers have begun contacting families of the victims, demanding the huge ransom.

Olukotun said four of his relatives were among the kidnapped, noting that he narrowly escaped through a window when the attack occurred at about 6:06 p.m.

“From what we gathered from the kidnappers’ camp, they have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the groups.

“Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding ₦100 million for each person. But for my own family members, I have not received any call yet,” he said.

The pastor of the church, Pastor Abiodun Bamidele, said the incident happened during a thanksgiving service organized for 18 people who were kidnapped three weeks earlier but later rescued.

“There was an incident when the bandits came, and they kidnapped almost 30 to 35 members of the church,” he said.

Meanwhile, angry youths in Eruku staged a massive protest on Wednesday, blocking the Ilorin–Kabba highway at the entrance of the town. The protest caused significant traffic disruptions as the youths accused security agencies of failing to respond during the hour-long attack.

A youth leader, Peter Adesiyan, criticized the police, saying the community had supported the local division by building facilities for them but received no assistance when it mattered most.

In reaction to the worsening security situation, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for immediate reinforcement of security personnel to the embattled council area to curb the new wave of attacks.

The Eruku incident adds to a rising pattern of violent attacks in border communities of Kwara State, sparking growing fears among residents and community stakeholders.