The attackers, who stormed the church during a thanksgiving service—killing two worshippers and abducting 38 others—initially demanded ₦100 million per victim. However, following sustained pressure from combined security units, the figure was lowered to ₦20 million per captive.
Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Hon. Awelewa Olawale, confirmed that the abductors have begun collecting phone numbers of the victims in order to contact their families directly.
“Yesterday, they said they would call by 4 p.m., but they didn’t. Up till now, we have not heard from them,” Olawale said, adding that the church insisted on collective negotiation, offering ₦1 million per person.
Local vigilantes—now reinforced with additional manpower—have continued combing the thick forest suspected to be the hideout of the attackers. Olawale expressed optimism that the bandits are still within the state.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the revised ransom figure, but noted that the exact number of abducted persons remains uncertain due to conflicting accounts.
“The police, army, vigilantes, and other teams are still in the bush. We expect significant progress within the next three days,” he assured.
A list released by residents of Eruku identified 35 abducted persons, with ages ranging from 7 to 64 years, and 30 of them being women. The names include Felicia Ige (64), Elizabeth Rotimi (27), Iyabo Ajayi (40), Deborah Peter (38), and children aged 7, 9, 10, and 12.
During a sympathy visit to the community, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq linked the incident to escalating insecurity along the Kwara–Kogi axis, revealing that the Nigerian Army has deployed 900 troops to the affected region. He also assured residents that both state and federal authorities are fully committed to securing the victims’ release.
The governor later chaired a high-level security council meeting to review fresh intelligence from field operatives. CP Ojo disclosed that the meeting endorsed sustained air interdictions and bombardments of known criminal enclaves in Ifelodun and surrounding areas.
He further revealed that security agencies have arrested several individuals accused of aiding the kidnappers with food and fuel supplies, as well as a suspected armourer from Makurdi allegedly helping to repair the criminals’ weapons.
As rescue efforts intensify, anxiety remains high in Eruku, but authorities insist that a breakthrough is imminent.
Geri Alimi Online will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as events unfold.
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