Five worshippers abducted during a March 22 attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Kwara State, are feared dead in captivity, according to security sources.
Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security, Zubair Olaitan, confirmed to Daily Post on Wednesday that the report is accurate. The information emerged from accounts filtering out of the terrorists’ camp, including testimony from one abductee who escaped the armed group.
Sources said the victims include Rachel Oluwaremilekun Omole, wife of the church pastor, and four other worshippers. “Five of the Omugo abductees have died in captivity,” one source stated, though details on how and where they died remain unclear. The source added that the information came from a survivor who recently fled the kidnappers’ den.
Families of the deceased have already been informed, and relatives were said to be in mourning following the news.
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The victims were among about eight worshippers seized when gunmen stormed the church during a service in Oro Ago District, Ifelodun Local Government Area. Witnesses said the attackers opened fire inside and around the premises before forcing the victims into nearby forests.
After the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly contacted families through one victim’s father and demanded a ₦1 billion ransom, which was later reduced during negotiations. Despite relatives allegedly delivering ₦20 million along with food and drinks as requested, the captives were not released.
Security agencies had earlier said joint rescue operations were ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend the attackers. Official confirmation from authorities on the reported deaths had not been issued at the time of filing this report.
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