Terrorists Insist On N1Billion Ransom For Abducted Kwara ECWA Church Members, Reject Community’s N1Million Offer

The kidnappers reportedly contacted a family member of one of the victims and insisted that the ransom be collected collectively from residents across Oro-Ago.

Terrorists who abducted eight worshippers during a service at an ECWA church in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, are demanding a N1 billion ransom for their release.

The kidnappers reportedly contacted a family member of one of the victims and insisted that the ransom be collected collectively from residents across Oro-Ago.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the pastor of the ECWA Church in Omugo, Omole Sunday Timothy, said attempts to negotiate with the kidnappers have so far failed, as they rejected an initial N1 million offer.

The cleric added that the abductors have maintained a hardline stance, refusing to reduce their demand despite pleas from the community.

“They called us and told us that the victims are in good spirits, but they demanded N1 billion from all the communities in Oro-Ago. We are pleading with them to leave Oro and focus on the victims that were kidnapped, but they did not listen to us yesterday,” he said.

He further disclosed that when the kidnappers re-established contact, the community attempted to negotiate by offering N1 million, but the terrorists dismissed the proposal and warned against further attempts at bargaining.

“But today, they responded and we are begging with N1 million. They told us not to talk even about N20 million, N50 million, N100 million, and they switched off the phone. Since then, we have not heard from them,” Timothy added.

Providing an update on the condition of the abducted worshippers, the pastor said he was able to speak with his wife, who is among those kidnapped, as well as other victims.

“Yes, I spoke with her and others. They complained that they were all thirsty. No one was injured except an elderly man whose head was hit with a gun,” he said.

SaharaReporters previously reported that residents of Omogo community were plunged into fear and panic after bandits attacked an ECWA service on Sunday, brutally assaulting elderly worshippers, including a 90-year-old blind woman, and abducting eight people, among them the wife of a pastor.

SaharaReporters reports that the latest attack marks the third time bandits have targeted the community, raising renewed concerns over the escalating insecurity in the area.

The kidnapped victims have been identified as Chief David Afolayan, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mr Joshua Adeyemi Jogo, Mrs Rachel Omopariola, Mrs Mosúnmọ́lá Afolayan, Mrs Bukola Sunday, Mrs Anti (Mama Gbeke), and Mrs Remilekun Omole, the wife of the church pastor.

Recounting the harrowing incident, the pastor of the ECWA church, Timothy, said the attack occurred during a worship session when armed men stormed the premises.

“I’m the minister in charge of the church, ECWA. I was leading the program when we were alerted by one of the members who saw them coming towards the church premises,” he said.

“They had already entered the premises and were approaching the church building. Immediately we were alerted, I told all the members that we should run.”

According to him, chaos erupted as worshippers fled in different directions to escape the attackers.

“Everybody scattered. I went through the back door, jumped the fence, and entered the bush with some members. Others hid in rooms and the pastor’s office. We thank God the bandits could not access those places,” he added.

The pastor, however, confirmed that his wife was among those abducted.

“My wife was among the people kidnapped. Initially, they took 11 people, but later released a child and two elderly women. They were not rescued. The bandits abandoned them because they were too weak to move and would slow them down.”