Residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday staged a protest over the continued captivity of 16 worshippers abducted by gunmen despite the payment of ₦10.5 million ransom.

The protesters, made up of community leaders, women, youths, relatives and friends of the victims, appealed to the Federal Government, the Ekiti State Government, and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees.

The victims were kidnapped on April 28 during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo when gunmen invaded the church and killed the presiding pastor.

According to residents, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion ransom, later reducing it to ₦150 million and subsequently ₦50 million.

The community, however, raised ₦10.5 million and paid the amount, but the victims remain in captivity.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing,” “FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers,” and “We reject terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo,” the protesters expressed frustration over the prolonged ordeal.

The demonstrators also called for improved security infrastructure in the area, including a functional divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards, and the establishment of a military base near the Ekiti-Kwara border.

A resident, Ajayi Ayodele, said the 16 abductees include mostly women and two young boys.

“There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are pleading with the government at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people,” he said.

Ayodele lamented that the victims had remained in captivity for 36 days despite the community’s efforts to secure their release.

“Our people have been kidnapped for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid ₦10.5 million ransom, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he added.

Another resident, Ayodele Oni, said the community felt abandoned despite making sacrifices to meet the kidnappers’ demands.

According to him, residents not only raised the ransom but also supplied food items and other materials requested by the abductors.

“We raised ₦10.5m, supplied two bags of rice and several other items that the bandits requested. They even demanded fuel, cigarettes, and other provisions. We complied with all these demands, yet our people are still being held,” he said.

Oni added that the kidnappers had resumed contact with the community and were demanding ₦50 million.

“Last night, we heard from them again. They are now insisting on ₦50m despite everything we have already given them.

“The process of giving them the ransom was a terrible experience. We traversed parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into the bush. After collecting the money, they simply told us we would hear from them. Since then, they have continued making fresh demands.

“Thirty-six days in the bush without proper shelter, bathing, or medical care is unbearable. Our mothers, wives, and children are suffering severe trauma,” he said.

Also speaking, another resident, Bose Ajayi, appealed for urgent intervention to rescue the victims.

“We are here to plead on behalf of our community. Our people have been in captivity for 36 days.

“We have children as young as two and three years old and an elderly woman who is over 80 years old among those kidnapped. Families are suffering and children keep asking for their mothers.

“We are begging the Federal Government, the state government, and the local government to help secure their release. Women are crying, children are crying and the entire community is in pain,” she said.

The protesters also demanded a stronger security presence in the area, arguing that the absence of adequate security infrastructure had made the community vulnerable to attacks.