Bandits who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have demanded N100 million ransom for each of the abducted worshippers.
The attackers invaded the church during a service and took away at least 30 people.
Three people were reported killed in the incident.
A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Olusegun Olukotun, whose four relatives were among those taken, said the kidnappers had started reaching out to families.
He said he was in the church with five members of his family when the incident occurred and escaped with one of his wards through a window at about 6:06 p.m.
“From what we gathered from the kidnappers’ camp, they have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the groups,” he said.
“Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100 million for each person. As regards my own people, I have not received any call concerning them, so I am still waiting.”
The pastor of the church, Abiodun Bamidele, said about 30 to 35 members of the congregation were abducted.
He said the church was holding a thanksgiving service for 18 people kidnapped three weeks earlier who had been rescued.
The attack prompted youths in Eruku to stage a protest and block the Ilorin–Kabba highway, causing traffic disruption.
They alleged that security operatives stationed in the area did not respond while the assault lasted for close to an hour.
A youth leader, Peter Adesiyan, criticised the police, saying the community had supported the division with facilities but officers failed to act when needed.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for urgent security deployment to address the rising incidents in the area.
The Eruku incident is part of a series of recent security cases affecting border communities in the state.
