Five worshippers abducted during an attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have died in captivity.
The church’s minister, Rev. Timothy Omole, told the congregation on the church WhatsApp group and confirmed the news to Daily Trust in a telephone chat Wednesday night. Among the dead was the pastor’s wife, Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The victims were among eight worshippers kidnapped when armed men raided the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026. Rev. Omole said the news left him heartbroken. “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”, he said, adding that “The remaining five have been with the Lord.”
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.” “God to console their immediate family and the church at large.”
Rev. Omole said Mr Sunday Bakare, one of the abductees who escaped after more than a month, told the church five had died while three remain in captivity. Some victims were on medication but were allegedly denied access to their drugs by their captors.
Sources familiar with negotiations said families were told of the deaths, though the circumstances remain unclear. The attackers fled into a nearby forest with the eight. They initially demanded ₦1 billion, later said to have been reduced to N150 million. Relatives raised about ₦20 million and supplied food and other items, but the kidnappers reportedly took the money and supplies and still refused to release the victims. Three worshippers are still believed to be held.
