Abductors of worshippers in Kwara Church place N100m ransom on each victim
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The bandits that abducted no fewer than 35 worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku in Ekiti local government area of Kwara State have placed the sum of N100m ransom on the head of each abductee.
It was gathered that the kidnappers have started contacting the families of the victims who were abducted during a church service on Tuesday.
A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun whose four relatives were among the kidnapped victims confirmed this on Thursday.
Olukotun, who said he was in the church with five of his family members when the incident occurred, said he and one of his wards escaped the attack around 6:06 p.m through the churchβs window.
He confirmed that the kidnappers have made contact with the people of the community and are demanding N100m as ransom on each victim.
βFrom what we gathered from the kidnappers camp, they (kidnappers) have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the group.
βSome people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100m for each person but as regard my own people I have not receive any call concerning them, so I am still waiting,β he said.
Olukotun who expressed gratitude to the government, particularly Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRahman for identifying with the community on the attack, also appealed for more security presence in Eruku, being a border community to ensure the security of life and property of the populace.
He also called for fortification of the communityβs vigilante members with relevant and more sophisticated combat weapons that would match those of the kidnappers in case of armed attack.