By Law Ibitoye
As Ekiti State gradually moves into full political season ahead of 2027 national Assembly parties’ primaries and June 20, 2026 governorship election, the painful reality confronting families of the 16 abducted worshippers of Christ Apostolic Church, Eda Oniyo, continues to cast a dark shadow over the state’s celebrated image as one of the most peaceful in Nigeria
April 28, Sixteen days after the worshippers were kidnapped during a church crusade by suspected bandits — an attack that reportedly claimed the life of a pastor on the spot — fear, anxiety, and uncertainty have continued to spread across Eda Oniyo and neighbouring communities. The incident has not only left families traumatised but has also sparked wider concerns over the security of residents across Ekiti State as political campaigns intensify daily. At a time when candidates and political parties are traversing towns and villages canvassing for votes, many residents believe the issue of security deserves equal, if not greater attention than campaign rhetoric and political mobilisation.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, alongside candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Dr Wole Oluyede, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador Dare Bejide, Accord Party, Mr Opeyemi David Falegan and other political parties, have intensified consultations, rallies, and grassroots engagements across the state. Yet, behind the colourful campaign posters, attires, branded vehicles , souvenirs, loud political songs, and large crowds lies a growing concern among ordinary citizens: Can people truly participate in democracy when they feel unsafe?
For many residents, the Eda Oniyo invasion represents more than an isolated criminal act. It is seen as a warning sign that insecurity, once thought distant from Ekiti’s largely peaceful environment, may gradually be finding its way into the state if urgent and decisive actions are not taken. The reality is that elections naturally attract increased human movement, political gatherings, late-night meetings, and unrestricted access to communities by strangers. In such periods, criminal elements often exploit security gaps to perpetrate violence, kidnapping, robbery, and other forms of criminality. This is why security experts have consistently warned that election periods require heightened vigilance and proactive policing.
Unfortunately, many rural communities in Ekiti remain vulnerable due to inadequate security presence, poor surveillance infrastructure, difficult road networks, and limited intelligence gathering mechanisms. Farmers in some areas now express fears over returning to distant farmlands, while religious gatherings and social events are increasingly being viewed through the lens of safety concerns.
The Eda Oniyo attack was particularly devastating because it struck at the heart of communal and spiritual life. Worshippers gathered peacefully for religious activities only to become victims of terror. Such incidents have the capacity to weaken public confidence and create long-term psychological fear among residents. Although prominent government officials, including the Deputy governor of Ekiti state, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, Special Adviser to Ekiti state governor on Security matters, Brigadier Ebenezer Ogundana Rtd, security personnel, led by the commissioner of police, Falade Michael, political leaders, and stakeholders have visited the community to sympathise with victims and assure residents of government intervention, many indigenes insist that sympathy alone cannot replace concrete action. According to them, what the people urgently require is the safe rescue of the abducted worshippers and visible steps toward preventing future occurrences. The abductors had initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion before allegedly reducing it to N150 million, with ongoing #10 million negotiations according to credible sources further expose the dangerous commercialization of kidnapping in parts of the country. It also highlights the emotional and financial trauma families of victims often endure while waiting helplessly for government intervention.
Across Nigeria, kidnapping has unfortunately evolved into a thriving criminal enterprise driven by weak law enforcement, poverty, unemployment, porous forests, and inadequate intelligence coordination among security agencies. While Ekiti has largely avoided the level of insecurity witnessed in some northern and central states, recent incidents suggest the state can no longer afford complacency.
The government must therefore move beyond reactive responses to adopt preventive and intelligence-driven security strategies. Security architecture in rural communities should be strengthened through increased patrols, deployment of technology-driven surveillance systems, improved collaboration with local vigilante groups, and enhanced intelligence sharing between conventional security agencies and community leaders.
More importantly, political leaders across party lines must avoid reducing security concerns to partisan talking points. The protection of lives and property should remain a collective responsibility beyond political affiliations or electoral interests. Opposition parties, ruling party leaders, civil society organisations, religious institutions, and traditional rulers all have critical roles to play in promoting peace and supporting security efforts.
Traditional rulers in particular remain strategic stakeholders in community security management. Their grassroots connection and understanding of local dynamics position them as vital partners in identifying suspicious movements, mediating communal tensions, and mobilising local support for security operations. Government must therefore continue to strengthen collaboration with monarchs and community leadership structures across the state.
As campaigns intensify, security agencies must also ensure adequate protection for political gatherings, markets, worship centres, schools, and highways. The forthcoming election should not become an opportunity for criminal elements to exploit political distractions and unleash terror on innocent citizens.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and security agencies must jointly work toward ensuring that the election period remains peaceful, credible, and violence-free. Residents must be able to attend campaigns, political meetings, and eventually cast their votes without fear of intimidation, attacks, or insecurity.
For Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, the Eda Oniyo abduction presents another critical moment to reassure Ekiti people of government’s commitment to their safety. Beyond political campaigns and developmental projects, citizens ultimately measure leadership by the ability to guarantee security and protect human lives. The immediate rescue of the abducted worshippers would not only bring relief to grieving families but would also restore confidence among residents who now worry about the safety of their communities.
Ekiti has long been known for peace, education, civility, and communal harmony. Allowing insecurity to gain a foothold would threaten not only the state’s social stability but also its economic growth, agricultural productivity, and democratic process.
At this critical political moment, the message from the people is simple and unambiguous: governance and politics must never lose sight of the primary duty of government — the protection of lives and property.
The people of Eda Oniyo deserve justice. The abducted worshippers deserve freedom and every Ekiti resident deserves to live and go about their legitimate businesses without fear.
Law Ibitoye
writes from Ilupeju Ekiti
