The Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, has revealed that the kidnappers of 15 worshippers in Ilejemeje, Ekiti State, are demanding a ransom of N1 billion for their release.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the victims were abducted on Tuesday during a night vigil at the Christ Apostolic Church, No. 2 in Eda-Oniyo, located in Ilejemeje Local Government Area. A visiting pastor was killed in the attack.
Oba Awolola made the disclosure on Wednesday while receiving a government delegation that visited the community following the incident.
The delegation was led by Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Other members included the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael Falade, and the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mr Pius Alaba.
The monarch reaffirmed the traditional council’s commitment to supporting government efforts aimed at preventing a recurrence of such incidents in the area.
Speaking during the visit, Alaba noted that those abducted included a family of four, a mother and her three children, adding that steps were being taken to secure the victims’ freedom.
In a related development, the Ekiti State Government, through Commissioner for Information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, condemned the attack, describing it as both heinous and unacceptable.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Furthermore, the government has ordered the immediate deployment of the 148th Battalion of the Nigerian Army, alongside its commanding officer, to the area.
“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.
