Church Releases Victims’ Names as Bandits Demand ₦100M Each on 38 Abducted Kwara Church Worshippers

Bandits have reportedly placed a ransom demand of N100 million per victim for the release of 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, whose four relatives are among those taken confirmed the development to LEADERSHIP on Thursday.

Olukotun, who said he was inside the church with five family members during the attack, explained that he and one ward managed to flee through a window at about 6:06 p.m. when the gunmen struck.

He revealed that the kidnappers had since opened communication with some residents, demanding N100 million for each of the 38 abductees.

"From what we gathered from the kidnappers' camp, they (kidnappers) have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our people through each of the groups.

Some people in the community have received calls from the kidnappers demanding N100m for each person, but as regards my own people, I have not received any call concerning them, so I am still waiting," he said.

Olukotun expressed appreciation to the government, particularly Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for showing concern, while appealing for stronger security deployment in Eruku, which shares a border with other states.

He also urged authorities to equip local vigilantes with more effective weapons to match the firepower of the attackers.

On Tuesday, 18th November, 2025, armed men stormed a live-streamed service at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, killing two people and abducting several worshippers. A vigilante member, Segun Ajala, was also injured and taken to the hospital.

The deceased were identified as Tunde Ajayi, whose body was discovered in the bush, and Mr. Aderemi, who was shot in the church.

The attack adds to mounting concerns over religious-targeted violence, with similar incidents recorded in Okene, Kogi State, and Owo in Ondo State.

The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has also recently made public the names of the 38 worshippers abducted during the attack. This announcement follows barely a day after the abductors demanded a total ransom of N3.8 Billion Naira for the release of the 38 victims, with each person valued at N100m.

A document circulated online by Itan Yoruba disclosed that the oldest victim is 64 years old, while the youngest is a seven-year-old. It also showed that 30 of the 38 abductees are women, including eight minors.

The kidnapped worshippers were listed as: “Felicia Ige (64); Timileyin Joshua (22); Elizabeth Rotimi (27); Samuel Ayodele (34); Olutokun Yetunde (23); Olutokun Janet (36); Olutokun Juwon (10), Olutokun Jumbu (12); Ebenezer Aina (24); Titilayo Balogun (59); Opeyemi Asaba (24); Grace Balogun (62), and Ayodele Taye (42).”

Others named include: “Oloke Funmilayo (42); Joseph Olaitan (24); Eniola Princess (23); Comfort Atolani (44); Joanah Atolani (7); Imole Aina (9); Moses Ojasope (12); Iyabo Ajayi (40); Adeojo Ojasope (19); Ojo Ajayi (10); Funmilayo Joshua (64); Iyabo Michael (32); Bimpe Ige (20); Grace Iyabo Ige (41); Deborah Peter (38).

“Omolola Mustapha (40); Idowu Mustapha (17); Emmanuel Bamidele (22); Ade Ajayi (7),l; Foluso Caleb (42); Funmilayo Ayodele (37); Folorunso Bamidele (42); Akinola Toluwani (24), and Akinola Babalola (14).”

The rising wave of insecurity has intensified nationwide anxiety. The federal government recently linked the renewed series of attacks to comments made by President Trump regarding alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

While some allege that authorities are downplaying the pattern of attacks, officials insist that terrorists target anyone who opposes their ideology, regardless of religious affiliation.

The incident has attracted global attention, contributing to the U.S. government's decision to redesignate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" over alleged violations of religious freedom