Kidnappers demand N1bn for 15 abducted worshippers in Ekiti

The abductors of 15 worshippers in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State have demanded N1 billion for their release.

The worshippers were abducted during a night vigil at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eda-Oniyo on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

A guest pastor to the church was also killed during the attack.

Speaking during the visit of a government delegation to the community on Wednesday, the Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, disclosed that the kidnappers demanded N1 billion for the release of the victims.

The traditional ruler, therefore, expressed the traditional council’s readiness to cooperate and assist the government in curtailing such ugly incident within the council.

Gunmen strike in Ekiti church, kill pastor, abduct worshippers

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Alaba, said among those abducted was a family of four, comprising a mother and her three children.
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Alaba said efforts were ongoing to facilitate the release of the kidnapped victims.

The delegation led by Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, also included the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, among others.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government has ordered the immediate deployment of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, alongside its commanding officer, to the affected area.

The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

“Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to comprehensively monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators, and forestall any further security breaches,” Olatunbosun noted.