By Our Correspondent
National News – Gunmen suspected to be bandits have demanded N1 billion ransom for the release of eight worshippers abducted during a Sunday church service in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The victims were kidnapped when armed attackers stormed an Evangelical Church of West Africa service on Sunday, triggering panic and forcing many residents to flee the rural community.
The Pastor-in-Charge of the church, Toba Omole, confirmed the development while speaking with journalists on Wednesday.
According to him, the kidnappers contacted members of the community on Tuesday and briefly allowed families to speak with the victims before announcing their demand.
Omole said the abducted worshippers include his wife and seven other members of the congregation.
He explained that hearing their voices gave families hope, but the N1bn ransom demand has created deep anxiety because the affected families and the community cannot afford such a huge amount.
“This morning we were able to hear from those who were abducted. I heard my wife’s voice and those of other members.
About eight of them are still in captivity, and the kidnappers demanded N1 billion for their release,” the cleric said.
The pastor appealed to the government, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene through rescue operations or negotiation to secure the release of the victims.
Following the church kidnapping in Kwara, residents of Omugo have reportedly begun fleeing the area due to fear of further attacks and what they described as inadequate security presence.
Several houses have been locked while families are relocating to safer communities.
Meanwhile, violence has spread to neighbouring Oro-Ago community in the same Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Suspected bandits reportedly attacked the town on Wednesday evening, killing the commander of the local vigilante group and seriously injuring the community’s chief security officer, popularly known as the Olu-òde, identified as Odeyemi.
The coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the attack, saying the vigilante commander was killed during the assault while the injured security officer sustained gunshot wounds.
As of press time, the Kwara State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incidents, while residents continue to call for urgent security reinforcement to curb rising rural banditry in the state.
