FIVE worshippers abducted during an attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have died in captivity.
News Point Nigeria reports that the tragic development was disclosed by the church’s minister, Rev. Timothy Omole, who informed members of the congregation through a message posted on the church’s WhatsApp platform. He later confirmed the incident during a telephone conversation with this newspaper on Wednesday night.
Among those who died in captivity was the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The deceased were among eight worshippers kidnapped when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday worship service on March 22, 2026.
Expressing deep sorrow over the development, Rev. Omole said the news had left him heartbroken.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform you that out of eight people that were abducted from ECWA Omugo on the 22nd of March, 2026, only three are still with the kidnappers,” the cleric said.
He added: “The remaining five have been with the Lord.”
The pastor identified the deceased as Elder Chief David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs. Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi and Mrs. Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole, his wife.
He prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the church community, saying, “God to console their immediate family and the church at large.”
Rev. Omole explained that the information was conveyed by Mr. Sunday Bakare, one of the abducted worshippers who recently escaped from the kidnappers’ den after spending more than a month in captivity.
According to the cleric, Bakare informed church leaders that five of the victims had died while three others remain in the custody of the kidnappers.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that some of the abductees had underlying health conditions and were on medication before their abduction. However, they were allegedly denied access to their prescribed drugs by their captors.
The sources added that families of the victims had earlier been informed of the deaths, although the exact circumstances surrounding how the victims died remain unclear.
The attack that led to the abduction occurred on March 22, 2026, when gunmen stormed the church during worship.
Witnesses said the assailants opened fire sporadically, causing panic among worshippers and forcing congregants to flee for safety before abducting eight members of the church and taking them into a nearby forest.
Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦1 billion for the victims’ release.
However, Rev. Omole had earlier disclosed that the demand was later reduced to ₦150 million during negotiations with the families and church representatives.
Sources told this newspaper that relatives of the abductees eventually raised about ₦20 million in a desperate effort to secure the release of their loved ones.
In addition to the cash payment, the families reportedly supplied food items and other materials allegedly requested by the kidnappers as part of the negotiations.
Despite the sacrifices and efforts made by the families, the kidnappers were said to have collected both the money and supplies without releasing the victims.
As of the latest reports, three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in captivity, with relatives and church members continuing to hope and pray for their safe return.