Five members of ECWA Church, Omugo, in Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, have reportedly died while being held by kidnappers.
The development was disclosed by the church’s minister, Rev. Timothy Omole, in a message shared with members of the congregation.
Among the deceased was the cleric’s wife, Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.
The victims were part of eight worshippers abducted when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026.
Expressing grief over the incident, Rev. Omole said:
“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 remaining five have been with the Lord.”
He 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.”
“God to console their immediate family and the church at large.”
According to the pastor, the information was provided by Mr Sunday Bakare, one of the abducted worshippers who later escaped after spending more than a month in captivity.
Rev. Omole said Bakare informed the church that five captives had died, while three others remain in the hands of the kidnappers.
It was gathered that some of the victims had underlying health conditions and were allegedly denied access to necessary medication while in captivity.
Sources familiar with efforts to secure their release reportedly informed relatives about the deaths, although the exact circumstances surrounding them remain unclear.
The abduction occurred on March 22 when gunmen stormed the church during worship, fired shots and forced congregants to flee before taking eight worshippers into a nearby forest.
Following the attack, the kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦1 billion, which was later reduced to ₦150 million during negotiations.
Family members and well-wishers were said to have raised about ₦20 million and supplied food items and other materials allegedly requested by the abductors in hopes of securing the victims’ freedom.
However, despite receiving the money and supplies, the kidnappers reportedly failed to release the captives.
Three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in captivity.
