Five worshippers that were abducted during an attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, are believed to have died while in captivity.
This was announced by Rev. Timothy Omole, who announced this in a circulated WhatsApp message to members of the church, said the news was conveyed by one of the abductees, Mr Sunday Bakare, who managed to escape after spending more than a month in the bandits’ den.
One of the victims that lost their lives in captivity was the wife of the Rev, Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The victims were part of the eight worshippers were abducted by armed men who stormed the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026, shooting sporadically before whisking them away into the forest.
In the WhatsApp chat, Rev. Omole said; “It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform you that out of eight people abducted from ECWA Omugo on March 22, only three are still with the kidnappers. The remaining five have gone to be with the Lord”.
Rev Omole listed the deceased to include Elder Chief David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi, and Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The cleric said that some of the victims were on medication, but were allegedly denied access to treatment by their captors during their ordeal and prayed for God to console and comfort the bereaved families and the church community.
It was also gathered that the families of the victims were earlier informed of the deaths, even as details surrounding the circumstances were unclear.
The bandits that attacked the community were believed to have initially demanded a ransom of one billion Naira (₦1bn), which was later reduced to ₦150m following negotiations.
The relatives of the victims were able to raise about ₦20m alongside food items and other supplies requested by the bandits in a bid to secure the victims’ release.
However, despite collecting the ransom, and other provisions, the bandits refused to release their captives.
For now, three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in captivity as concerns mount over their safety.
