There are indications that the Kwara State government might have paid up to N200 million to secure the release of the 38 worshipers kidnapped in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government area of Kwara State.
The kidnappers were said to have asked for N600m which was negotiated down to N200m by government.
On agreement, the 38 victims were said to have been taken on bike to a spot by the bandits, where they were told to locate a government bus which has been brought to take them to the government house in Ilorin.
The 38 Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), kidnap victims were released Sunday evening
Their release was sequel to a marching order issued the Kwara State government by the Federal Government, warning the former that the release of the 38 captives must be secured.
Military personel were immediately drafted to Eruku, to ensure that the presidential order was effectively carried out.
On release, the victims were taken in a civilian bus to Kwara State Government House, where they were served clothings before being taken to State House hospital for treatment.
After the treatment, the 38 victims were driven in a bus to one Royalty Hotel at GRA, Ilorin to relax on the bill of the state government
A victim who preferred anonymity , told The Kiriji Times that it was a very long night for the victims.
“We were beaten mercilessly by our tormentors, some of who are in their teens. They boasted they are not perturbed by the presence of the Army drafted into Eruku and that their mission is to level the entire community.
” Where they took us is a settlement dominated by kidnappers. They call the settlement Gbuu Gbuu. They feed us with rice without salt and stew once a day (5:00pm to 5:00pm) and give 2 person’s a bottled water to share per day. They gave sophisticated weapons, including bombs which they display to scare us.
“They regretted that the Pastor of the church was not among the people caught and promised they would not miss him the next time they will visit,” she narrated
The gaunt looking victims, all drained and weiry, may be taken back to Eruku by government on Monday to reunite them with their families,
