Kidnappers refuse to release pastor's spouse after receiving N20m ransom, says Kwara cleric

Pastor Sunday Omole of the Evangelical Church of West Africa in Omugo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has expressed his distress that bandits are still holding his wife and other abducted residents, despite the fact that the victims' families have paid N20m ransom and provided other items.

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Omole, who spoke to journalists on Friday, accused the kidnappers of continually extorting money from the families of the victims through fresh ransom demands, while refusing to release those being held captive.

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He has called on the government to initiate a coordinated military operation to clear the forests that connect Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states, which he believes are being used as hideouts by the abductors.

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The pastor revealed that the kidnappers have recently increased their ransom demand to N300m, after allegedly receiving N20m last month, along with food items, petrol, red oil, seasoning, and other supplies.

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Omole stated that since the ransom was delivered on April 29, 2026, the kidnappers have refused to release the victims, despite the families' expectations that they would be freed.

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The items delivered as ransom included 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, according to the pastor.

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Omole also mentioned that another young man was kidnapped three weeks ago, and the kidnappers collected a ransom of N2m about three days ago, but still refused to release him.

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The young man was abducted while returning from his farm, where he had gone to look for food, the pastor explained.

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Omole urged the Federal Government to take decisive action against the armed groups by storming the forest belts where they are believed to be hiding.

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He emphasized that the government has the capability to stop the menace, and that with the help of the Air Force and the land army, they can easily raid the forests and get rid of the kidnappers.

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Omole estimated that the number of kidnappers is not more than 400, and even if it is up to 500, the government should be able to handle them.

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The pastor criticized the security response in the area, alleging that soldiers deployed to Omugo community did not enter the forests where the kidnappers operate.

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Instead, the soldiers only walked around the community, giving the impression that they were working, but never actually entering the forests where the terrorists are hiding, Omole claimed.

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

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Omole disclosed that he has been asked by the kidnappers to pay N300m, and that each time they call, they inquire about how much money has been raised, giving the impression that they want to exploit the families of the victims.

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He revealed that he has relocated from Omugo community, which has become deserted, and that church activities have been suspended since the incident.

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Omole noted that despite the deployment of about 10 police officers to the community following the incident, kidnappings have continued to occur in the area.

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The community built a security post, and the Commissioner of Police sent the police officers to Omugo, but they have been unable to prevent further kidnappings, the pastor said.

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When asked how another victim was abducted despite the security presence, Omole replied that the person was kidnapped on his farm.

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The pastor mentioned that he has only heard his abducted wife's voice once, which was during the ransom delivery, and that she was happy at the time.

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Omole expressed frustration over the lack of progress in tracking the kidnappers, despite the security efforts and the collection of phone numbers for tracking.

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He believes that the kidnappers are operating within the forest belt that links Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states, and that the government should focus on that area.

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Omole lamented the absence of government communication or support since the incident occurred, stating that not even a greeting or statement has been issued by the government.

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

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The gunmen 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 over 70 years old.

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Security forces later launched a swift response, rescuing three of the victims during the operation, but the attackers initially demanded about N1bn ransom, which was later reduced to N150m after negotiations.

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The incident was 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.