Adedokun Waliyu 
Bandits who invade the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State on Tuesday are requesting for N3. 8 billion for the release of the thirty eight victims in their custody
Fresh reports indicate that the number of victims in the custody of the bandits is thirty eight as against twenty seven earlier reported
This information came as the bandits placed a ransom of N100 million on each of the 38 victims.
The demand was relayed through a telephone call to one Jerry, husband to one of the victims, residing in Eruku.
The bandits claimed that two of their victims are terribly sick and urged that their ransom are paid as quickly as possible to save their souls
They named the ailing victims as Mrs Titi Balogun and another Balogun, also a woman, who they say are no relations.
Ever since the bandits called to drop the information, they closed communication and there has been no means to get back to them.
It was learnt that the kidnappers used the telephone of one of the victims to make the call and switched off immediately after the information was passed.
There has been eerie silence in the sleepy community, each person waiting with bated eyes for the nexr verdict from the dare devil bandits who seems not to be in a hurry to dispense information.
A local hunter, who spoke on condition of anonymity says there is possibility that the captives have been divided to four camps, each being closely monitored by the bandits to allow for safety and easy monitoring.
Thirty eight worshipers of the Christ Apostolic Church were kidnapped by bandits who obstructed an evening service on Tuesday.
Contrary to earlier reports, the Pastor, his wife and two children were spared by the bandits but the assistant pastor’s wife was not as lucky.
A son of the substantive Pastor, a fresh graduate from seminary school was also among the kidnapped.
He is the one behind the viral video that is currently circulating.
The bandits were said to have equally spared the children and two aged women who were among the congregants in the evening service
Mrs Titi Balogun is a high blood pressure victim on medication and she’s said to be very ill and needs to be quickly set off the hook of the bandits to attend to her health.
Her situation is already causing concern among family members, including her aged mother, a octogenarian, Mrs Matilda Omotinugbon
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that three of the forty one captives also managed to escape and are giving account of their ordeal to the villagers
Three persons were confirmed dead, including a local hunter who was said to be the guard of the church
