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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Ekiti bandits demand N1 billion for kidnapped Christ Apostolic Church worshippers

Fifteen worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church were kidnapped on Tuesday during a night vigil.

• April 30, 2026
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji popularly called BAO has cast his vote at polling unit 3
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji popularly called BAO has cast his vote at polling unit 3

The Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, said kidnappers of 15 worshippers in Ilejemeje, Ekiti, demanded N1 billion for their release.

Fifteen worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church, located at 2, Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje LGA of Ekiti, were kidnapped on Tuesday during a night vigil.

A guest pastor was killed during the attack.

Mr Awolola disclosed this on Wednesday during a visit from a government delegation to the community.

The delegation, led by Ebenezer Ogundana, special adviser on security to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, also included the commissioner of police, Michael Falade, and the Ilejemeje council chairman, Pius Alaba.

The traditional ruler expressed the traditional council’s readiness to cooperate and assist the government in curtailing such an ugly incident within the council.

Mr Alaba said among those abducted was a family of four, comprising a mother and her three children. He said efforts were ongoing to facilitate the release of the kidnapped victims.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti government has condemned the attack on the worshippers.

Information commissioner Taiwo Olatunbosun described the incident as heinous and unacceptable.

(NAN)

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