Kwara Families Cry Out as Kidnap Gang Demands Huge Ransom

Kwara Families Cry Out as Kidnap Gang Demands Huge Ransom

Fear has spread across the Eruku community in Kwara state after armed men took more than thirty worshippers from a church and demanded one hundred million naira for each person. Families say the calls from the kidnappers began soon after the attack, and the ransom demands have remained the same for every victim.

The gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church during a live streamed service on Tuesday night. Shots rang across the building as worshippers ran for safety. Local officials confirmed that several people died before the attackers forced about thirty five congregants into the bush.

Relatives have spent the days since then waiting by their phones. Many of them say the kidnappers are using the mobile phones of the victims to reach out. Josiah Agbabiaka, the church secretary, explained that the abductors separated the victims into groups and started making demands from the first group. He said the families of eleven people have all been told to raise one hundred million naira each.

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Community leader Olusegun Olukotun said the callers are reaching out in a pattern. His four relatives were seized during the attack, and he only escaped by jumping out of a window. He described the fear in the community as heavy and growing, especially for families who have no means to meet the huge ransom demand.

Eruku’s traditional ruler, Oba Busari Olarewaju, urged the government to act fast. He welcomed the presence of soldiers who arrived after the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, visited the town on Wednesday. But he stressed that more needs to be done because the hostages are still in danger.

He said the community is praying and hoping for quick rescue and asking security agencies to do everything possible to bring the captives home safely.

Security forces are searching the forests around the border between Kwara and Kogi as concerns grow over the rising number of mass kidnappings in rural parts of the country. Many residents fear more attacks if nothing changes soon.

The people of Eruku are holding on to hope, but every new phone call reminds them of how urgent the situation has become. The families want their loved ones back. The community wants peace. And many are now calling on the government to move faster before more lives are lost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit : Boluwatife Abiola

Image Credit : Google. Com