Five worshippers who were abducted during an armed raid on the ECWA Church in Omugo, located in the Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have tragically died while being held by their captors.
The heartbreaking news was shared by the church’s minister, Rev. Timothy Omole, through a message to his congregation via the church’s WhatsApp platform. He subsequently confirmed the devastating update during a telephone interview on Wednesday night.
Among those who lost their lives in captivity was the pastor’s own wife, Mrs. Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The victims were part of a group of eight congregants seized on March 22, 2026, when gunmen violently interrupted a Sunday morning worship service.
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Confronting the immense grief of the situation, Rev. Omole expressed his profound sorrow over the loss.
“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 cleric said.
He added: “The remaining five have been with the Lord.”
The minister identified the deceased individuals as Elder Chief David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs. Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi, and his wife, Mrs. Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
Offering prayers for the grieving community, the pastor asked for “God to console their immediate family and the church at large.”
Rev. Omole explained that the details of their fate were brought to light by Mr. Sunday Bakare, one of the kidnapped worshippers.
Bakare managed to escape from the kidnappers’ hideout after being held for over a month, subsequently informing church leadership that five victims had died while three others remain trapped in custody.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths remain vague, sources close to the situation indicated that several of the abductees suffered from pre-existing health issues and required daily medication. Their captors reportedly refused to allow them access to their prescribed drugs. Families of the victims had been previously alerted to the deaths.
The initial attack occurred when gunmen stormed the sanctuary, firing randomly into the air. The resulting panic sent worshippers fleeing for cover, during which the assailants corralled eight members and forced them into a nearby forest.
Following the abduction, the criminals initially demanded a ₦1 billion ransom. Rev. Omole noted that this figure was later negotiated down to ₦150 million through discussions involving family and church representatives.
Insiders revealed that relatives managed to pool together approximately ₦20 million in a desperate bid to free their loved ones. Alongside the monetary payment, the families also delivered food and various supplies demanded by the kidnappers. Despite collecting the cash and provisions, the abductors failed to release the hostages.
Currently, three worshippers remain in the hands of the captors, leaving their families and the entire church community to hold onto hope and prayer for their safe return.
