Ekiti: Pregnant woman among captives as kidnappers reject N10m, detain two ransom carriers

Two relatives of five women abducted in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area, have reportedly been taken hostage, raising the number of captives to seven.

The kidnappers stormed the community on Saturday, January 24, 2026, abducting five women, including a nursing mother and a pregnant woman. Initially, the gunmen demanded a ransom of N100 million.

The victims, Soliu Mohammad and Soliu Ibrahim, went to deliver N10 million after the family pleaded for a reduction. Instead of being released, they were seized and taken to an unknown location near Idofin in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Speaking with journalists, the family head, Alhaji Muhammad Saliu Okanlawon, popularly known as Elebenla, “We struggled to raise N10 million, hoping the kidnappers would show mercy and release the five women. But we were devastated to learn that the two relatives delivering the money were also held hostage. They said the ransom was too small.”

He appealed to the government for urgent intervention, noting the extreme trauma, particularly for the nine-month-pregnant woman still in captivity.

“It is indeed a painful experience for the family,” he added.