Suspected gunmen who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, have demanded a ransom of one billion naira for the release of 15 worshippers abducted during the incident, which also left one person dead.

The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, disclosed this while addressing journalists, noting that the kidnappers had established contact with the community and made their demand known. He appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the victims.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers from neighbouring communities, including the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Bamidele Adeniran, and the Owa of Iludun, Oba Adeniran, have called for a temporary ban on evening worship activities and a comprehensive overhaul of the security architecture in the area.

The monarchs also lamented the absence of security personnel, alleging that it took over an hour for security operatives to respond after the attack.

On their part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana (retd.), and the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, who visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.

They urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and useful information.

At least 15 persons were kidnapped during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ominira, in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Gunmen on Tuesday evening attacked a church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.

The attackers reportedly stormed the church during an open-air crusade on the outskirts of the community. Witnesses said the gunmen, who were heavily armed, opened fire and operated for several minutes before taking an unknown number of people, including elderly persons and children, into a nearby forest.

A community source said the pastor was shot during the attack, while many worshippers were forced away by the gunmen.

The exact number of victims has not been confirmed, but the incident has caused fear and panic in the area.

A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack and said security operatives have been deployed to rescue the victims and track down the assailants.

Police authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

Source: PT

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has appealed to the Federal Government and state governments to urgently introduce support measures, including possible subsidy arrangements, for airlines engaged in transporting Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, the civil society organisation expressed concern over the sharp increase in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel, warning that it could disrupt the smooth airlift of pilgrims if not addressed promptly.

According to Muhammed, rising fuel costs have placed significant financial pressure on airlines contracted for the pilgrimage, many of which depend on leased aircraft for the operation. He noted that the spike in fuel prices has eroded projected profit margins, leaving some operators at risk of breaking even or even incurring losses.

He aligned with earlier concerns raised by aviation stakeholders under the platform of Concerned Aviation Stakeholders, led by Bukalti Gamawa, who cautioned that airlines might struggle to sustain operations under the current pricing realities.

“Available industry data shows that the rising cost of aviation fuel has created a major financial strain on airlines engaged for the 2026 Hajj. Without timely intervention, the operation could face severe disruptions,” Muhammed stated.

The organisation acknowledged that while the Federal Government no longer provides direct subsidies for Hajj operations, the current situation requires urgent policy intervention to ensure the success of the pilgrimage.

It cited examples from countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, where governments have reportedly stepped in to offset the increased cost of airfare for their pilgrims following the surge in aviation fuel prices.

The group explained that increasing Hajj fares at this stage may not be a viable option, especially with the airlift of pilgrims expected to commence soon. It warned that passing the additional costs to pilgrims could lead to a sharp rise in fares, placing further financial burden on intending pilgrims.

“When contracts were signed, Jet A1 sold at about ₦1,000 per litre locally. Today, prices have climbed to nearly ₦3,000 per litre across major departure centres. This represents a significant deviation from initial projections,” Muhammed said.

He further revealed that a single Hajj flight, which consumes approximately 70,000 litres of fuel, could now attract an additional cost exceeding ₦100 million, depending on the location.

Muhammed also pointed to the rising cost of aviation fuel in Saudi Arabia, noting that airlines face a “double financial burden” as they must also pay for return flights in foreign currency at significantly higher rates.

“Even if domestic interventions address outbound flights, airlines still face high fuel costs in dollars for return operations. This creates a double financial burden that must be addressed holistically,” he added.

The Independent Hajj Reporters called for coordinated efforts among relevant government agencies, aviation regulators, airlines, and fuel suppliers to ensure a seamless and successful 2026 Hajj exercise.

The group emphasised that timely intervention would not only safeguard airline operations but also protect pilgrims from sudden and excessive fare increases.