● Pastor’s wife among victims as captors reject N20m ransom, demand N300m more
Terrorists have killed five of the eight worshippers abducted at ECWA Church Omugo, Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, an escapee has confirmed. Three victims remain in captivity.
One of the abductees, Mr Sunday Bakare, escaped over a month after the attack and returned to the community Wednesday with the grim update, according to Pastor Rev Sunday Omole.
—“They are with the Lord”–
In a statement Wednesday evening, Rev Omole listed the five killed:
1. Elder Chief David Omopariola
2. Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun
3. Mrs Iyabo Aniyi
4. Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi
5. Mrs Rachel Oluwaremilekun Omole — the pastor’s wife
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform the church, families and individual concerned in regard to the 8 people that were abducted from ECWA Omugo on 22nd of March, 2026,” Rev Omole said.
“We received one of our son’s, Mr Sunday Bakare also abducted over a month ago, he escaped and brought the following news that only 3 out of 8 of our people are remaining with the kidnappers. The remaining 5 have gone to be with the Lord.”
—N20m ransom paid, terrorists demanded N300m more—
The March 22 attack occurred during Sunday service. The abductors took eight worshippers, including the pastor’s wife.
Rev Omole told Vanguard ast month that the community had paid N20 million and provided items worth over N300,000, but the terrorists refused to release anyone. The captors later demanded an additional N300 million ransom.
“From the action of the terrorists it was clear that they just wanted to be exploiting the community,” he said, urging the federal government to expedite action on rescue.
—“God knows why He allows this”—
“Brethren, let’s know that God knows why He allows this to happen. The great comforter will comfort us in Jesus name, amen,” the clergyman added in his statement.
Security agencies have yet to issue a formal update on rescue operations for the remaining three captives.
[Rewritten story culled from Vanguard]
