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. (The PUNCH)

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