Traditional rulers in Ekiti State are calling for an immediate ban on night church services following a deadly attack on worshippers and a 1 billion Naira ransom demand by kidnappers.

The attack occurred in Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed a late-night church gathering, killed the presiding pastor, and abducted several worshippers, including women and children. The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, confirmed that the kidnappers have contacted families of the victims, demanding 1 billion Naira and claiming they are still within the community’s forest.

In response, monarchs in the area have urged authorities to suspend night religious gatherings, warning that such events are increasingly becoming targets for armed groups. They also criticised the response time of security agencies, alleging that it took over an hour for operatives to arrive after the attack, allowing the assailants to escape.

Security officials, including Ekiti’s Special Adviser on Security and the state Commissioner of Police, have visited the community and assured residents that rescue efforts are ongoing. A joint operation involving the police, military, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters is currently underway to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

The incident has intensified fear in the region, especially amid rising cases of kidnappings in neighbouring states like Kwara and Kogi.