₦airaland Forum

Kwara ECWA members’ kidnappers want N300m after collecting N20m, rice, oil, petrol

Bandits still holding my wife despite N20m ransom payment, — Kwara pastor


The pastor of the Evangelical Church of West Africa in Omugo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Sunday Omole, has lamented that bandits are still holding his wife and other abducted residents despite receiving N20m ransom and other items from victims’ families.

Omole, who spoke with journalists on Friday, accused the abductors of repeatedly extorting families through fresh ransom demands while refusing to release the victims.

He called on the government to launch a coordinated military operation to clear forests linking Kwara, Kogi and Niger states.

The pastor said the abductors recently increased their demand to N300m after allegedly receiving N20m ransom last month alongside food items, petrol, red oil, seasoning and other supplies.

“Since we took N20m ransom to the terrorists together with five bags of rice, four kegs of 30 litres petrol, one keg of red oil, one packet of Maggi, and N40,000 worth of hard drugs, we have been expecting our people.

“It is almost a month now, precisely since April 29, 2026, and they refused to release them,” he lamented.

Omole said the kidnappers had continued to collect ransom from affected families without freeing victims.

He said, “Another young man was kidnapped three weeks ago. They collected ransom of N2m about three days ago and they still refused to release him.

“The young man was returning from his farm where he went to look for what to eat and they abducted him. That is what we are passing through. It has not been easy.”

The pastor urged the Federal Government to take decisive action against the armed groups by storming forest belts believed to be their hideouts.

“It is the government that can do it. If the government is ready, they can stop this menace happening in our area. Government can raid the forests and get rid of them with the help of the Air Force and the land army. They can do it easily.

“According to what people are saying, these people are not more than 400. Even if they are up to 500, the government can handle them. They are the ones that can help us,” he said.

Omole also criticised the security response in the area, alleging that soldiers deployed to Omugo community did not enter the forests where the kidnappers operate.

“Each time they send in soldiers, the soldiers will not reach the forest side. They will just be walking around the community and say they are working. The soldiers never entered the real forests where the terrorists are,” he alleged.

Speaking on his personal ordeal since the abduction of his wife, the cleric said he had been devastated and emotionally overwhelmed.

“I have been devastated. It has not been easy. It has become an issue and a war in my bones. Up till now they have not released my wife. They are still demanding N300m. Each time they call, they ask us how much we have raised. It is like they want to be exploiting us,” he said.

Omole disclosed that he had since relocated from Omugo community, adding that the area had become deserted and church activities suspended.

“I have moved out of Omugo. The community is deserted. We have closed the church since that incident. I have not stepped my foot in the church since that incident,” he said.

He further noted that despite the deployment of about 10 police officers following the incident, kidnappings had continued in the area.

“The community built a security post and immediately after the incident, the Commissioner of Police sent about 10 police officers. They are the ones policing Omugo now,” he said.

Asked how another victim was abducted despite the security presence, he replied, “They kidnapped the person on his farm.”

On communication with his abducted wife, Omole said he had only once heard her voice during ransom delivery.

“We have not been hearing her voice, but the day we took ransom to them, I heard her voice and she was happy. Since then, I have not been able to hear her voice,” he said.

He also expressed frustration over what he described as lack of progress in tracking the abductors despite security efforts.

“Each time they come, they collect phone numbers for tracking, but till now we have not heard any positive response from the police or the government,” he said.

Omole said he believed the kidnappers were operating within the forest belt linking Kwara, Kogi and Niger states.

“There is a forest that leads from Omugo to Kogi State and the same forest leads to Niger State, so they should be in that area,” he said.

He also lamented the absence of government communication or support since the incident occurred.

“Not even a greeting from the government. There was no statement by the government about what happened in Omugo and they have not reached out to us. It is only the church that has stood by us,” he said.

The abduction in Omugo community dates back to Sunday, March 22, 2026, when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday service in an attack that left worshippers in panic.

The gunmen reportedly shot sporadically to disperse the congregation before abducting eight worshippers, including the pastor’s wife and elderly members of the church, some of whom were said to be over 70 years old.

Security forces comprising police, military personnel and local vigilantes later launched a swift response, rescuing three of the victims during the operation.

However, the attackers initially demanded about N1bn ransom, later reduced to N150m after negotiations.

The incident was also reported as the third major attack on the Omugo community within six months, forcing many residents to flee their homes and further worsening insecurity in the area.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/bandits-still-holding-my-wife-despite-n20m-ransom-payment-kwara-pastor/%3famp

Image: Her husband, Pastor Sunday Omole

Islamic terrorists and islamic bandits are all over Nigeria, unfortunately the FG are treating them with kid gloves, I don't think this religion can progress without terror

Maybe they have gone to the other side it is well

Has he not heard? They should give the kidnappers Bishop Oyedepo's number.

duduade:
Maybe they have gone to the other side it is well

Chai ! The effrontery ! What a shame ! They must be smoked out o

agulion:
Islamic terrorists and islamic bandits are all over Nigeria, unfortunately the FG are treating them with kid gloves, I don't think this religion can progress without terror

even in US people are kidnapped without traces

Alphanancy:
Has he not heard? They should give the kidnappers Bishop Oyedepo's number.

I was about to say the same thing

They likely killed the wife and want to wring him out of more money. I pity kidnappers the day Nigerians decide to take matters into their own hands.

Tinubu the incompetent should resign immediately.

If Trump had not revealed it this morning, no one in Nigeria knew that the number 2 of ISIS worldwide has been hiding in Nigeria all this while. That's the level of incompetence we are dealing with here. The pastor above said soldiers sent to the community have refused to go after the kidnappers in the forests.
Over 400 people kidnapped and someone took 5 bags of rice to the terrorists and no one in the entirety of Nigeria's security architecture that could think of deploying a surveillance drone overhead and watching where the kidnappers would take the foodstuffs to? Is this simply disgraceful incompetence or a purposeful suppression of every rescue efforts? Remember that reports came out that the NSA has told the Nigerian army not to report attacks by terrorists on its bases so as not to make the president look bad. That's the kind of deliberate evil we are dealing with here.

This is the part I hate about this kidnap business. Your victims' families pay the money you asked for, yet you refuse to release their loved ones. Sometimes, they even kill their victims after ransom has been paid. That's why the security operatives shouldn't be arresting them; waste them immediately.

The Nigerian government knows the names and the locations of terrorists in Nigeria - Sheik Gumi, March 2026.

The Nigerian intelligence agencies already possess extensive intelligence on terrorist networks, commanders, and hideouts, which is common in counterterrorism operations. However, Tinubu cannot fully go after the terrorists. He is afraid for his life. A coward!!!.

But any day Trump decides to drop a bomb in that location, Tinubu would rush to give a press release: "The Nigerian military, in collaboration with the US army...." as if Trump inform him before dropping the bomb.

Next time, Vote Wisely.

The question is,is she still Al be?
Those guys are really heartless
They can collect ransome and still unalive the victim.

Our hearts are with kwarans and Ilorin, ilu to jinna sina, to sunmo aljanna. Pls vote wisely next year. Sentiments don't secure life, good leaders do and I've always said this.

He's bringing his branded rice to your doorsteps soon. Collect it, its your money they used in buying it but don't forget, vote wisely.

Nigeria is too lenient with killers. We should be throwing them into crocodile infested waters, or use firing squad execution.

The aggravation of Nigeria security concerns began in 2015 when many Nigerians signed in for Buhari's comeback to government.

Alphanancy:
Has he not heard? They should give the kidnappers Bishop Oyedepo's number.

..I thought Bishop Oyedepo... said terrorism and kidnapping will end after 7 days of his prayers and declaration

She's probably dead

You have them too much

Alphanancy:
Has he not heard? They should give the kidnappers Bishop Oyedepo's number.

..I thought Bishop Oyedepo... said all those involved in terrorism and kidnapping will die and terrorism and kidnapping will end after 7 days of his prayers and declaration

davidotokiblog1:
Kwara ECWA members’ kidnappers want N300m after collecting N20m, rice, oil, petrol



https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/bandits-still-holding-my-wife-despite-n20m-ransom-payment-kwara-pastor/%3famp

Image: Her husband, Pastor Sunday Omole

People need to start considering NOT paying ransom altogether. At least, ask for PROOF OF LIFE before you send money.

Make them pray make God set her free na

Imagine this terrible government, making many Christians to do what they are not supposed to do.

No how the judgement of God won't fall upon this clueless government and its satanic agenda

davidotokiblog1:
Kwara ECWA members’ kidnappers want N300m after collecting N20m, rice, oil, petrol

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/bandits-still-holding-my-wife-despite-n20m-ransom-payment-kwara-pastor/%3famp

Image: Her husband, Pastor Sunday Omole

They should give them Bishop Oyedepo phone number.

malakaimoscondo:
even in US people are kidnapped without traces

See yeye talk. Are we now doing comparison of kidnapping? Same US u mentioned, have u ever heard of mass kidnapping over there in the US? Or have u heard kidnappers kidnapp anyone and dear called their victims families for ransom? No, they wouldn't dear because they know they would be fish out within a twinkle of eye.

Even if u heard of kidnapping in the US, it is definitely going to be business gone wrong scenarios. But over here in Nigeria, kidnaps would kidnapped someone called the victim family, video themselves and post it on social and nothing will be done about them and u open ur yeye mouth to do comparison of kidnapping in the US and kidnapping in Nigeria.

When will we stop sponsoring and feeding terrorists in Nigeria??

As far as Nigerians keep on paying ransom?? Kidnapping will never stop

dederocs:
Nigeria is too lenient with killers. We should be throwing them into crocodile infested waters, or use firing squad execution.

Even in the Bible days, kidnappers were not spared. (Exodus 21:16)

judewrites:
Even in the Bible days, kidnappers were not spared. (Exodus 21:16)

Nigeria is filled with evil myopic leaders, dumbest in the world.

davidotokiblog1:
Kwara ECWA members’ kidnappers want N300m after collecting N20m, rice, oil, petrol



https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/bandits-still-holding-my-wife-despite-n20m-ransom-payment-kwara-pastor/%3famp

Image: Her husband, Pastor Sunday Omole

Immediate Intelligence & Rescue Operation

•Deploy special security units (police, DSS, military) to track the kidnappers

•Use telecom tracking and surveillance to locate their movement after ransom payment

•Launch a rapid rescue operation to secure the victim alive

They may have already murdered the pastor's wife and the other hostages

JuanDeDios:
People need to start considering NOT paying ransom altogether. At least, ask for PROOF OF LIFE before you send money.

Person fit ask for proof of life make them use AI deceive them.

Proof of life no dey work for this one.