Families of 38 worshippers kidnapped from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, have been told to pay ₦100 million per person by the armed assailants responsible for the attack.
The gunmen stormed the church during a prayer session on Tuesday night, killing at least five congregants and taking dozens of others into nearby forests. Relatives said the kidnappers have started contacting them directly, demanding the substantial ransom for the safe release of each captive.
Chief Olusegun Olukotun, whose relatives were among those abducted, confirmed that the bandits were grouping victims by family, warning that failure to meet the ransom demands could put the captives at serious risk. He appealed to the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intervene immediately.
The traditional ruler of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, condemned the attack, describing it as “a grave violation of community safety,” and called on authorities to intensify rescue operations.
Security forces, including police and local vigilante groups, have reportedly launched search efforts in the forests around the area, but there has been no official confirmation yet on the number of victims rescued or remaining in captivity.
Residents are calling on both state and federal authorities to act urgently to protect vulnerable communities and curb the rising wave of violent attacks in Kwara State.
