Kwara Church Attack: Kidnappers Demand ₦100m Each For 38 Kidnap Victims

Suspected bandits who stormed the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly demanded a staggering ₦100 million ransom for each of the 38 worshippers they abducted.
The armed men invaded the church during an evening service on Tuesday, firing shots into the air and forcing dozens of terrified worshippers including the pastor, into the nearby forest.

A community leader and the Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, confirmed the development on Thursday night. He revealed that four of his relatives were among those whisked away.

Olukotun, who narrowly escaped the attack with one of his wards after slipping out through a window around 6:06 p.m., said the kidnappers had already begun reaching out to families.

According to him, the abductors grouped the victims based on their family ties and have been contacting relatives individually.

“Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding ₦100 million per person,” he said. “For my own family, I haven’t been contacted yet, but we are expecting their call.”

He thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for immediately reaching out to the community but stressed the urgent need for more security presence in Eruku and neighbouring towns.

Olukotun noted that Eruku and surrounding border communities had become increasingly vulnerable, with bandits appearing to operate with sophisticated firearms.

The Eruku axis, stretching through the Eruku-Egbe, Osi-Obbo, and Obbo-Aiyegunle corridor has witnessed a string of kidnappings and violent attacks in recent months, leaving residents on edge and calling for stronger government intervention.