Five abductees in Kwara community feared dead in bandits captivity

At least five worshippers kidnapped during the violent attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, located in the Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, are reported to have died in terrorists’ captivity.

Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security, Zubair Olaitan, confirmed to DAILY POST on Wednesday that the report is true.

The tragic development emerged from reports filtering out of the terrorists’ camp, including accounts provided by one of the abductees who reportedly escaped from the armed gang.

Informed sources revealed that the wife of the church pastor, Rachel Oluwaremilekun Omole, is among those reportedly killed alongside four other abductees.

According to one of the sources, “Five of the Omugo abductees have died in captivity,” though the exact details surrounding the deaths remain sketchy.

“No details of how and where they died,” the source further stated, citing information allegedly provided by one of the victims who escaped from the kidnappers’ den.

The source added that the tragic development has already been relayed to the affected families.

“The sad news has been broken to the families of the deceased,” the source said, adding that relatives of the victims were thrown into mourning following the revelation.

The victims were among worshippers abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded ECWA Church, Omugo, during a church service in the Oro Ago area.

Witnesses had narrated how the attackers opened fire within and around the church premises, causing panic among congregants before whisking about eight worshippers away into nearby forests.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly established contact with the families through the father of one of the abductees and demanded a ₦1 billion ransom for the release of the victims.

Sources, however, said the amount was later reviewed downward during negotiations.

Alleged efforts by relatives to secure the victims’ freedom, including the delivery of about ₦20 million, food supplies, and hot drinks requested by the abductors, proved abortive, as the captives were reportedly not released.

Security agencies had earlier disclosed that joint rescue efforts were ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend those behind the attack.

Official confirmation from authorities regarding the reported deaths could not be obtained at the time of filing this report on Wednesday.