Five ECWA Worshippers, Pastor’s Wife Die in Captivity-Escapee

Five worshippers abducted during a terrorist attack on an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly died while in captivity.

Among the victims was the wife of the church minister, Pastor Omole, according to information allegedly provided by one of the abductees who escaped from the kidnappers’ den.

Sources familiar with the development disclosed that reports emerging from the captors’ camp indicate that five of the victims, who had spent several weeks in captivity, are feared dead. The exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear.

According to the sources, families of the affected victims have been informed of the tragic development.

“The sad news has been broken to the families of the deceased,” a source said, adding that Pastor Omole’s wife was among those reported to have died while in captivity.

The development has plunged the Omugo community and members of ECWA into mourning as relatives await official confirmation from security agencies.

The victims were abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed ECWA Church Omugo during a church service. The attackers reportedly fired shots into the air, causing panic before forcing several worshippers into a nearby forest.

Initial reports indicated that eight worshippers, most of them elderly members of the congregation, were kidnapped during the attack. Police authorities later confirmed that the majority of those abducted were over 70 years old.

Days after the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the victims’ families and demanded a ransom of N1 billion. Following negotiations involving family members, community leaders and intermediaries, the ransom was reduced.

Families were said to have eventually paid N20 million, alongside food items and alcoholic beverages requested by the abductors. Despite receiving the ransom and supplies, the kidnappers allegedly failed to release the captives.

The reported deaths of the five worshippers have renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Kwara South and the vulnerability of rural communities and places of worship to armed attacks.

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Residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged captivity of the victims and the inability of security agencies to secure their release despite ongoing rescue efforts.

Security authorities, however, maintain that operations are continuing to rescue any remaining abductees and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to officially confirm the reported deaths, while families continued to await further information on the fate of their loved ones.