Bandits demand N100m ransom for each victim of Kwara Church abduction

Bandits who kidnapped more than 30 residents of Eruku community during a church service on Tuesday have demanded a ransom of N100 million per victim, according to families contacted by the assailants on Thursday.

The attackers stormed the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing three people, abducting the worshippers, and carting away valuables in a violent raid.

Confirming the latest development, the Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, said four members of his family were among those taken.

He recalled that he was inside the church with five relatives when the gunmen invaded, adding that he escaped with one ward by jumping through a window at about 6:06 p.m.

Olukotun disclosed that the abductors had begun contacting families of the victims.

“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 N100m for each person. But as regards my own people, I have not received any call concerning them, so I am still waiting,” he said.

The community leader stressed the urgent need for reinforced security in Eruku, a border town with Kogi State that has long been exposed to criminal attacks. He also urged government authorities to empower local vigilantes with modern defensive equipment capable of countering the firepower of the bandits.