Five abducted Kwara ECWA church members die in captivity after N20m ransom

Five worshippers abducted during an attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have died in captivity.

Minister in charge of the church, Rev. Timothy Omole, made this tragic development known to the congregation in a message he sent to the church’s WhatsApp platform.

Omole also confirmed the development to newsmen on Wednesday.

He said among those killed was his wife, Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.

The victims were among eight worshippers kidnapped when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026.

Rev. Omole said the sad news left him heartbroken.

He said, “It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform you that out of eight people that were abducted from ECWA Omugo on the 22nd of March, 2026, only three are still with the kidnappers.

“The remaining five have been with the Lord.”

The cleric listed the deceased as Elder Chief David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi and Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole, his wife.

“God to console their immediate family and the church at large,” he said.

Rev. Omole added the information was disclosed to him by one of the abductees, Mr. Sunday Bakare, who escaped from captivity after spending more than a month with the kidnappers.

He said Bakare informed the church that five of the abductees had died while only three others remain in captivity.

It was gathered that some of the victims were actually on medication but were allegedly denied access to their drugs by their kidnappers.

Earlier, sources familiar with the negotiations had disclosed that families of the victims were informed of the deaths, although details surrounding the circumstances remained unclear.

The attack occurred on March 22 when gunmen stormed the church during worship, shooting sporadically and forcing congregants to flee before whisking away eight worshippers into a nearby forest.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded ₦1 billion ransom, an amount that the pastor confirmed was beaten down to N150 million during negotiations.

It was learnt that relatives of the victims eventually raised about ₦20 million and also provided food items and other supplies allegedly requested by the abductors in a bid to secure their release.

But the kidnappers reportedly collected the money and supplies but refused to release the victims.

Meanwhile, three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in the kidnappers’ den.