Five abducted Kwara ECWA worshippers, including pastor’s wife d!e in captivity despite N20m ransom payment

Five worshippers abducted during a terrorist attack on an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, have d!ed while in captivity.

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The victims were kidnapped on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the church during a worship service.

Among the victims is the wife of the church pastor, Rev. Sunday Timothy Omole (pictured).

Rev. Omole confirmed the development to Daily Trust in a telephone chat Wednesday night, June 3.

The incident has plunged the Omugo community and members of the ECWA congregation into mourning, as relatives and community leaders await official confirmation from security agencies.

“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,” Omole said.

The Clergy 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.

“May God console their immediate family and the church at large.”

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

According to him, Bakare informed the church that five of the abductees had d!ed while three others remain in captivity.

Some of the victims, it was gathered, were on medication but were allegedly denied access to their drugs by their captors.

Sources familiar with the negotiations had earlier disclosed that families of the victims were informed of the d3aths, although details surrounding the circumstances remained unclear.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded N1 billion ransom, an amount that the pastor confirmed was reduced to N150 million during negotiations.

Sources had told Daily Trust that relatives of the victims eventually raised about N20 million and also provided food items and other supplies allegedly requested by the abductors in a bid to secure their release.

Despite the efforts, the kidnappers reportedly collected the money and supplies but refused to release the victims.

Three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in captivity.