Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ekiti State have cried out to the government and security agencies for intervention following the continued captivity of more than 30 kidnapped victims, 32 days after they were abducted by suspected bandits.
According to residents, members of the community raised and paid a ransom of ₦11 million, along with bags of rice and other items demanded by the kidnappers, in an effort to secure the release of the victims. However, despite receiving the payment, the bandits have allegedly refused to free those being held.
One of the affected residents, a woman whose three children are among the kidnapped victims, said the abductors have continued to make additional demands. She revealed that whenever family members contact the kidnappers to inquire about the welfare of the victims, they are asked to provide recharge cards worth ₦20,000.
The victims were reportedly abducted during a prayer session at a church in the community. During the attack, the gunmen allegedly killed a pastor who had been invited from Osun State as a special guest minister.
The grieving mother described the situation as heartbreaking, saying families have been left in agony as their loved ones remain in captivity despite meeting the kidnappers’ initial demands.
Residents are now appealing to the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to urgently intervene and secure the safe release of the victims.
As of the time of filing this report, the kidnapped victims had spent 32 days in captivity.
