The pastor of the Evangelical Church of West Africa in Omugo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Sunday Omole, has revealed that kidnappers are still holding his wife and other victims despite allegedly receiving N20 million ransom and several food supplies from their families.
Speaking with journalists, the cleric accused the abductors of continuing to extort affected families through repeated ransom demands without releasing the captives.
Reports gathered by Drivetvnews indicates that Omole disclosed that the kidnappers recently increased their demand to N300 million after earlier collecting N20 million, bags of rice, petrol, red oil, seasoning cubes and other items from the victims’ relatives.
According to him, the ransom was delivered on April 29, 2026, with the expectation that the abducted victims would regain freedom, but the kidnappers failed to release them.
The pastor also claimed that another resident who was abducted weeks ago remained in captivity even after his family reportedly paid N2 million ransom.
He urged the Federal Government to launch a coordinated military operation targeting forests linking Kwara, Kogi and Niger states, which he alleged had become hideouts for armed groups.
Omole criticised the security response in the area, alleging that security personnel deployed to the community rarely entered the forests where the kidnappers operate.
The cleric described the ordeal as emotionally devastating, noting that he had abandoned the community while church activities had also been suspended due to fear and insecurity.
He added that Omugo community had become largely deserted following repeated attacks and kidnappings.
According to him, although police officers were later deployed to the area, residents still remained vulnerable to attacks, especially on farmlands.
Omole further lamented the absence of support or communication from the government since the incident occurred, saying only the church had remained supportive to affected families.
The abduction occurred on March 22, 2026, when armed men reportedly invaded the church during a Sunday service, firing shots before kidnapping eight worshippers, including the pastor’s wife and elderly church members.
Security operatives later rescued three victims, while negotiations with the abductors reportedly reduced the initial ransom demand from N1 billion to N150 million.
