Bandits who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan, in Eruku, Kwara State, have demanded N100m for each abducted worshipper, according to church officials and community leaders.
Pastor Lawrence Bamidele said the attackers seized between 30 and 35 people during a Tuesday evening service. Family members told The PUNCH that the kidnappers had begun calling relatives through the victims’ phones.
The church’s secretary, Elder Josiah Agbabiaka, said families confirmed the calls and explained that the captors had divided the victims into groups. “From what we were told, they grouped the victims. The first group of 11 people has been asked to pay N100m each,” he said.
The Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, said four of his relatives were among those taken. He explained that the kidnappers were contacting families one group at a time. Olukotun said he escaped through a window during the attack while five family members remained inside the church.
The town’s traditional ruler, the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, urged the government to act fast to secure the safe return of the victims. He noted the arrival of military personnel shortly after the governor’s visit but said the community needed stronger support. “We are still appealing that efforts should be intensified to rescue our people as quickly as possible,” he said.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said the command was not aware of any ransom demand. She noted that police teams were working with the military and other security agencies to rescue those abducted. She urged residents to share information that could support the operation, adding that the Commissioner of Police had assured the public of continued efforts to protect lives and property.
The attack is the latest in a series of security incidents in Kwara communities. The rise in violence has renewed concern about the spread of banditry in a state long seen as one of the safer parts of the North-Central region.
