Terrorists Demand ₦250m, 20 Motorcycles Over 117 Abducted Worshippers

In the aftermath of a mass abduction incident in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Village Head Ishaku Dan’azumi revealed that the terrorists responsible for the kidnapping of approximately 177 worshippers have requested a ransom of N250 million along with 20 motorcycles for their release.

It has been reported that armed assailants abducted a pregnant woman, a nursing mother, and three others in Erinmope-Ekiti, located in the Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100 million from the families of the victims.

Dan’azumi, speaking to journalists on Monday night, confirmed that the mass abduction occurred on January 17, 2026, during church services in the community, affecting three churches: Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and 2, as well as the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).

According to the traditional ruler, the terrorists had earlier accused the Kurmin Wali community of stealing 17 motorcycles, which they allegedly lost during military operations in Kajuru council.

“The terrorists called and said the Kurmin Wali community must pay N250 million and provide 20 motorcycles before they will release the kidnapped worshippers,” Dan’azumi said.

He added that the attackers also accused members of the community of removing parts from the remaining motorcycles.

More than 100 worshippers were still being held captive nine days after the abduction, raising concerns among residents and religious leaders in the area.

Meanwhile, attempts to get a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command proved unsuccessful.

Narrating their ordeals, the head of the family, Muhammad Okanlawon (alias Elebenla) said gunmen stormed their residence in Erinmope-Ekiti, weekend and abducted five members of his household.

The 60-year-old Mahmud, who is also a cattle dealer said those abducted were wives and children of his younger brother and son, giving their identities as Kehinde Mahmud, Adijat Hussein, Hawawu Suleiman, Fatima and another Fatima.

“These hoodlums came to our house and they were shooting sporadically. The male members of the households were in the mosque and they couldn’t suspect anything untoward. It was after they carried out their evil act that we discovered that five female members of the household were missing.

“We alerted the security agents immediately and I must commend them for their swift response. The combined team of Police, Civil Defence, Amotekun and others trailed the assailants but could not track them.

“The Area Commander also showed up, but we learnt they (kidnappers) did not follow their usual exit route in Osin in Kwara. We learnt they must have mingled with the people of the community, to conceal their identities.”

“I learnt they only called once to demand N100 million ransom and since then, nothing has been heard from them again. We are using this medium to appeal to the government to come to our rescue. We don’t even know what to do again. One of the victims is carrying a nine- month old pregnancy, you can imagine the kind of trauma she will be going through now. It is indeed a painful experience for the family

“This is a strange incident, because we have never experienced such in the community. We have lived for more than 70 years in this community, even though we are from Kwara State. We don’t know any other place besides Erinmope.”