Although details surrounding the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear, the information was reportedly relayed by one of the victims who managed to escape from the terrorists' custody.
Five worshippers abducted by terrorists during an attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area, have reportedly died while in captivity.
Among the victims was the wife of the church minister, Pastor Omole. The tragic development was revealed by one of the abductees who managed to escape and shared details of the ordeal.
Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that reports emerging from the kidnappers’ den indicate that five of the abductees are feared dead after spending several weeks in captivity.
Although details surrounding the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear, the information was reportedly relayed by one of the victims who managed to escape from the terrorists' custody.
According to a source, families of the affected victims have already been informed about the tragic development.
“The sad news has been broken to the families of the deceased,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that the wife of the minister in charge of the church, Pastor Omole, is among those confirmed dead.
“The wife of the minister in charge of the church, Pastor Omole, is one of those who reportedly died in captivity,” the source said.
The latest development has thrown the Omugo community and members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) into mourning as relatives continue to await official confirmation from security authorities.
The victims were abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed ECWA Church Omugo in Oro Ago District, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State during a church service.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that armed attackers stormed the ECWA church in Omugo, firing sporadically into the air to instill panic before forcefully herding several worshippers into the nearby forest.
A visit to the community by SaharaReporters revealed a ghost-town atmosphere, with deserted streets, shuttered homes, and residents hastily relocating to safer areas.
The roads, which residents said were usually busy with commercial activities and movement of people, were largely empty as fear spread among the population.
Initial reports indicated that eight worshippers were kidnapped during the assault, most of them elderly members of the congregation. Police authorities later confirmed that the majority of those abducted were over 70 years old.
A few days after the abduction, the terrorists reportedly contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N1 billion for their release.
Following negotiations involving relatives, community leaders, and intermediaries, the demand was reduced. Families eventually paid N20 million, along with assorted foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages requested by the kidnappers.
Despite receiving the ransom and supplies, the abductors failed to release the captives. The reported deaths of five worshippers, including the wife of Pastor Omole, have now raised fresh concerns about the worsening security situation in Kwara South and the increasing vulnerability of rural communities and places of worship to armed attacks.
Residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged captivity and the apparent inability of security agencies to secure the victims’ release despite months of rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, security authorities maintain that operations are ongoing to rescue any remaining abductees and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not officially confirmed the reported deaths, while families of the abductees continued to hope for further information regarding the fate of their loved ones.
Sahara Reporters
