Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Kidnap Victims Remain in Captivity Despite Ransom Payment
Residents of Eda-Oniyo, a community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have taken to the streets in a peaceful demonstration to demand urgent action from government authorities and security agencies over the continued detention of 16 kidnapped residents. The protesters, including community elders, family members of the victims, women, and youths, expressed frustration that the abductees have spent 36 days in captivity despite the community raising and paying a ransom of N10.5 million to the kidnappers. According to community members, the victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, when armed men suspected to be bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during a worship service. The attack reportedly claimed the life of the church's presiding pastor, while 16 worshippers were taken away by the assailants. Residents revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion for the victims' release. The amount was later reduced to N150 million befor...