Bejide Visits Eda-Oniyo Amid Government Silence Over Kidnapping Crisis Response
Ilejemeje, Ekiti State June, 15, 2026 - Fifty days after armed attackers stormed a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, leaving a pastor dead and 16 worshippers abducted, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador Oluwadare Bejide, has returned to the troubled community, expressing renewed concern over what he described as a prolonged failure of security response.
During the April 28, 2026 night attack at CAC No. 2, gunmen disrupted a vigil, killed the presiding pastor, and whisked away worshippers, including women, children as young as two years old, and an 80-year-old woman.
The abductors reportedly demanded ₦1 billion initially before reducing their ransom to ₦150 million and later ₦50 million.
Despite a community-driven effort that raised ₦10.5 million along with food supplies and other items, the victims remain in captivity.
Speaking during his second solidarity visit to the community, Ambassador Bejide met with traditional rulers, families of the abducted victims, and residents still reeling from the incident.
He reiterated that the essence of government is the protection of lives and property, stressing that the situation reflected a breakdown of that fundamental responsibility.
“The primary duty of any government is the security of lives and property. That is the social contract. In this case, that responsibility has not been fulfilled,” he stated.
Community members expressed frustration over what they described as official silence since the incident.
While the state government reportedly issued directives suspending night vigils and the deputy governor visited shortly after the attack, residents claimed that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has not visited the community since the tragedy occurred, a situation they say has deepened their sense of abandonment.
Relatives of the abducted, speaking during a local radio programme, lamented that despite ongoing political activities across the state, no substantial engagement had been made with affected families.
Bejide’s visit also extended to neighboring communities, including Iye Ekiti and Ewu Ekiti, where he held consultations with traditional rulers and residents affected by rising insecurity concerns.
At each stop, he pledged sustained engagement and long-term commitment to addressing security challenges if elected.
The Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, described the attack as devastating and urged urgent intervention to prevent further occurrences.
He acknowledged Bejide’s consistent presence since the incident, noting that the candidate had maintained contact with families even after his initial visit.
Similarly, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti called for stronger leadership response and improved electoral accountability, stressing that communities deserve leaders who show empathy during crises rather than after political cycles.
Bejide further called for the establishment of stronger security infrastructure in the region, including a divisional police headquarters, forest security units, and a military presence along vulnerable border corridors.
He assured residents that under his leadership, security would not be treated as rhetoric but as a non-negotiable priority.
“No citizen should sleep in fear, and no family should endure this kind of pain while government remains distant,” he said.
The visit concluded with prayers for the safe return of the abducted victims and renewed appeals for urgent state and federal intervention.
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