Abductors of 15 worshippers in Ekiti demand N1bn ransom

n n

The Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, has said that abductors of 15 worshippers in Ilejemeje, Ekiti, have demanded N1 billion for their release.

n

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 15 worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) No. 2, Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti were abducted on Tuesday during a night vigil.

n

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

n

Oba Awolola disclosed this during the visit of a government delegation to the community on Wednesday.

n

The delegation led by Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, also included the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael Falade, and the Ilejemeje Council Chairman, Mr Pius Alaba.

n

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

n

In his remarks, the chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mr Pius Alaba, said among those abducted was a family of four, comprising a mother and her three children.

n

‎Alaba said that efforts were ongoing to facilitate the release of the kidnapped victims.

n

Meanwhile, the Ekiti government, through its Commissioner of Information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, has condemned the attack on the worshippers.

n

Olatubosun described the incident as heinous and unacceptable.

n

“The government extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims who died and assures them of its commitment to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.

n

“In swift response to the incident, the state government has deployed a high-powered security delegation led by the special adviser to the governor on security matters, Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.), to coordinate on-ground operations in the affected community.

n

“This effort is being carried out in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, and other relevant security agencies to ensure a robust and unified security response.

n

“Furthermore, the government has ordered the immediate deployment of the 148th Battalion of the Nigerian Army, alongside its commanding officer, to the area.

n

“Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to comprehensively monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators, and forestall any further security breaches,” the special adviser said. (NAN)

n n