Eda-Oniyo Community Demands Action as 16 Residents Remain Captive Despite N10.5m Ransom

The Eda-Oniyo Community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State has taken to the streets to protest the continued detention of 16 of its residents by kidnappers. The community members, who included leaders, relatives of the victims, women, and youths, are calling on both the state and federal governments, as well as security agencies, to intervene urgently in the matter. The 16 victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, during a church service at the Christ Apostolic Church in the community. The kidnappers, who were suspected to be bandits, also killed the presiding pastor during the attack. According to the community, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion, which was later reduced to N150 million and then to N50 million. Despite the community paying N10.5 million as ransom, the kidnappers have refused to release the victims, instead demanding an additional N50 million. A community leader, Ayodele Ajayi, stated that the community has been in constant communication with the kidnappers but has been unable to secure the release of the victims. 'Our people have been in captivity for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid N10.5 million, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,' he said. The community is urging the government and security agencies to take immediate action to rescue the victims and bring the kidnappers to justice.