Kwara Church Attack: Bandits Demand ₦100m Ransom per Victim

Bandits who abducted worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly demanded ₦100 million as ransom for each victim.

At least 30 people were taken during Tuesday’s attack, which also left three worshippers dead. The incident occurred while the congregation was holding a service.

A community leader, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, the Olori Eta of Eruku, said four of his relatives were among those kidnapped. He confirmed that the abductors had begun contacting families.

“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,” he said.

“Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding ₦100 million for each person, but as regards my own people, I have not received any call concerning them, so I am still waiting.”

Olukotun, who escaped with one of his wards, said he fled through a church window at about 6:06 p.m. when the gunmen stormed the service.

The church’s pastor, Abiodun Bamidele, also confirmed the mass abduction.

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

He added that the attack happened during a Thanksgiving service for 18 people who had been kidnapped three weeks earlier and were just recently rescued.

Angered by the incident, youths in the community staged a protest and blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway, causing serious traffic disruption.

The protesters accused security operatives of failing to act while the attack, which lasted close to an hour, unfolded.

A youth leader, Peter Adesiyan, criticised the police despite the community’s efforts in supporting the division.

He said, “We have provided facilities and support for the police division, yet when our people needed them most, there was no response.”

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has called for immediate and increased security deployment to the affected council to stop the rising wave of attacks.

The Eruku incident forms part of a disturbing pattern of recent attacks targeting border communities in Kwara State, heightening fears among residents.