Terrorists who stormed an ECWA church in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday March 22, 2026 during a live worship service have demanded a ransom of N1 billion for the release of five worshippers still in their captivity, flatly rejecting every attempt at negotiation and warning the community against wasting their time with smaller offers.
“They called us and told us they are in good spirits, but they demanded N1 billion from all the communities in Oro-Ago,” said the presiding pastor of ECWA Omugo, Rev. Omole Sunday Timothy, whose wife is among those still being held. “They told us not to talk about N20 million, not N50 million, not even N100 million, and they switched off the phone. Since then, we have not heard from them,” he added.
The kidnappers reportedly contacted a family member of one of the victims and insisted that the N1 billion ransom be collected collectively from residents across Oro-Ago.
Attempts to negotiate a lower figure have collapsed entirely. When the community offered N1 million, the kidnappers dismissed it without discussion.
The attack itself was brazen and calculated. Armed gunmen stormed the church premises while service was ongoing on Sunday morning, firing shots into the air to scatter the congregation before abducting worshippers. A combined team of police, forest guards and soldiers pursued the attackers into the forest and managed to rescue three of the initial victims.
The remaining five including the pastor’s wife were taken deeper into the bush and remain in captivity as of today.
Despite everything, the pastor found a moment of grace in the horror. “This morning, we were able to hear from those who were abducted. I heard my wife’s voice and those of other members. They complained that they were all thirsty. No one was injured except an elderly man whose head was hit with a gun,” he said.
A particularly disturbing detail has emerged about the security environment around the attack. According to Vanguard, a credible source from the Kwara South Joint Security Watch stated that the church is located less than two kilometres from a military base raising serious questions about how the attack was carried out in broad daylight without immediate interdiction.
Rev. Timothy has called on both the Kwara State and Federal Governments to urgently intervene, stressing that the N1 billion demand is far beyond anything the community could ever raise. “This is far beyond what we can afford. We are appealing for help and intervention, including efforts toward negotiation to secure their release,” he said.
