Traditional rulers in Ekiti State have called for an immediate ban on night church services following a recent attack on worshippers and a ₦1 billion ransom demand by kidnappers.
The incident occurred in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed a church gathering, killed a pastor, and abducted several worshippers during a late-night programme.
The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, confirmed that the abductors had contacted families of the victims, demanding a huge ransom while claiming they were still hiding within the community’s forest.
The development has heightened fear among residents, prompting monarchs from neighbouring communities to warn against the risks associated with late-night religious gatherings. They argued that such events make residents vulnerable to attacks and called for stricter security measures.
The traditional rulers also criticised what they described as a delayed response by security agencies, noting that it reportedly took more than an hour for operatives to arrive at the scene after the attack.
In response, the Ekiti State Government has stepped up efforts to rescue the victims. The Special Adviser on Security, Ebenezer Ogundana, alongside the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, visited the community to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, local security outfits, and vigilante groups, have launched joint search efforts in surrounding forests to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and share useful information that could assist ongoing operations, as concerns continue to grow over rising cases of abduction in the region.
