By Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado-Ekiti
The ordeal of a family in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has worsened as kidnappers holding five women reportedly detained two additional family members who went to deliver ransom, bringing the total number of captives to seven.
The five women were abducted on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when gunmen invaded Erinmope-Ekiti and seized them from the community. Among the victims are a nursing mother, a pregnant woman, and three others. The abductors were said to have initially demanded a ransom of ₦100 million.
In a twist of events, two family members—identified as Ibrahim Soliu and Mohammad Soliu—were allegedly taken hostage after attempting to remit a ₦10 million ransom, following pleas for a downward review of the original demand.
The ransom bearers were reportedly intercepted and held at an undisclosed location in Idofin, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, after being moved from Orun-Ago, Omu-Aran, where initial contact with the kidnappers was made.
Confirming the development in a telephone interview, the head of the family, Alhaji Muhammad Saliu Okanlawon, also known as Elebenla, said the family had exhausted all efforts to meet the kidnappers’ demand and could only raise ₦10 million through contributions from extended family members.
He identified the original abductees as Kehinde Mahmud, Adijat Hussein, Hawawu Suleiman, Fatima, and another Fatima.
Narrating the family’s ordeal, Alhaji Okanlawon said the hope of securing the release of the five women was dashed when the kidnappers rejected the money and detained the ransom bearers.
“We took ₦10 million to the kidnappers last Friday, February 6, 2026, at a location in Orun-Ago, Omu-Aran, before being moved to Idofin in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State,” he said.
“Our family has been traumatised. We struggled to raise ₦10 million, hoping the kidnappers would show mercy and release the five members of our family. Instead, we received a call that two of my brothers who went with the money had also been held hostage. This is pure wickedness,” he lamented.
Alhaji Okanlawon appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene urgently, describing the situation as unbearable, particularly given that one of the abducted women is heavily pregnant.
“One of the victims is nine months pregnant. You can imagine the trauma she is going through. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid. We honestly do not know what to do again,” he added.