Fear and tension have gripped Isapa, a quiet community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, after terrorists who abducted 10 residents issued a one-week deadline for the payment of a N300 million ransom. The gunmen warned that failure to meet their demand would lead to the execution of the captives and a fresh round of violent attacks on the town.
The residents were abducted last Sunday when armed men invaded parts of the community in a coordinated night attack. The incident is the latest in a growing number of kidnapping cases affecting rural communities in Kwara and several northern states. Despite days of negotiation, none of the abducted victims — said to include farmers, traders, and young adults — has been released.
Initially, the kidnappers demanded N500 million. However, after prolonged negotiation and pleas from community representatives, the gunmen reviewed the ransom to N300 million. Even with the reduction, the community says the demand is far beyond what residents, many of whom are peasant farmers, can afford.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Chief Hunter of Isapa, Mr. A. Adeyeye, confirmed that the terrorists had contacted the community again, this time issuing a stern ultimatum. He said community leaders offered N5 million as a desperate attempt to save the victims, but the criminals rejected the offer outright.
“Despite pleas from the community offering N5 million, the armed group rejected the offer, describing it as unacceptable and far below their expectations,” Adeyeye said. He added that the kidnappers warned that any delay beyond the one-week deadline would result in the killings of the abducted residents.
The threats have caused panic across Isapa, with many families unsure of their next steps. Residents say they now live in fear of another attack, especially after the gunmen vowed to return and “kill many more people” if their demands are not met.
Isapa, like many rural communities across Nigeria, lacks strong security presence and has remained vulnerable to attacks by bandits and criminal gangs operating across state borders. The terrain — surrounded by forests and isolated farmlands — provides hiding places for abductors who often launch surprise attacks and escape with victims before security reinforcements arrive.
Local residents say they are now afraid to go to their farms or travel alone, with many describing the situation as the worst security threat the community has ever faced. Parents have also withdrawn their children from evening activities, and business activities have slowed sharply since the incident.
A resident who gave his name as Gbenga said many families are “sleeping with one eye open” due to fear of another invasion. “We are helpless. The kidnappers are threatening us, and we don’t have the type of money they are demanding. The government needs to come to our aid,” he said.
Nigeria continues to face a worsening kidnapping crisis, especially in the North-West and North-Central regions, where armed groups operate in forests and remote communities. Many of these gangs have been linked to cross-border criminal networks, making it difficult for security agencies to track and apprehend them.
Kwara State, once considered relatively safe, has in recent years recorded a steady rise in kidnapping incidents. Communities along forest belts bordering Ekiti, Kogi, and Osun states have been particularly vulnerable.
Following the latest threat, Isapa community leaders have appealed to the Kwara State Government and federal security agencies to intervene urgently. They say the community cannot raise the N300 million ransom demanded by the abductors and fear the worst may happen if government does not step in.
Chief Hunter Adeyeye said the local vigilante group is working with security agencies, but the terrain makes it difficult to locate the kidnappers’ hideout. He added that the abductors are heavily armed and have warned against any rescue attempt.
“We are pleading with the government. These people are dangerous and they are not ready to negotiate. The community alone cannot solve this problem,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Government has not issued an official statement regarding the ransom ultimatum. Security sources say operations are ongoing, but details cannot be made public for tactical reasons.
Residents, however, insist that time is running out. Family members of the abducted victims say they are living in anguish, praying for a miracle before the kidnappers carry out their threat.
Isapa now faces a combination of grief, fear, and uncertainty. Many residents say the kidnappers’ demand is impossible to meet, yet they fear the consequences of not meeting it. Community elders have continued to hold meetings, while churches and mosques have organized prayer sessions asking for protection and the safe return of the victims.