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| Bandits |
OMUGO, KWARA – Fear has gripped the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State as terrorists who abducted eight worshippers from an ECWA church have made a staggering ransom demand of N1 billion.
The abduction, which occurred during a Sunday service at the ECWA Church in Omugo, has seen the community enter a desperate cycle of failed negotiations and pleas for mercy.
The Attack: Chaos During Worship
The Minister in charge of the church, Pastor Omole Sunday Timothy, recounted the harrowing moment armed men stormed the building.
- The Invasion: Worshippers were alerted by a member who spotted the gunmen approaching.
- The Escape: Many members, including the Pastor, managed to jump fences or hide in offices.
- The Victims: Initially, 11 people were seized. The terrorists later abandoned a child and two elderly women who were "too weak to move," leaving them behind as they fled into the bush with the remaining eight.
The Victims Still in Captivity
The eight people currently held in the forest include:
- Mrs. Remilekun Omole (the Pastor’s wife)
- Chief David Afolayan and Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun
- Mr. Joshua Adeyemi Jogo
- Mrs. Rachel Omopariola, Mrs. Mosúnmọ́lá Afolayan, Mrs. Bukola Sunday, and Mrs. Anti (Mama Gbeke).
A "Hardline" Ransom Demand
Negotiations reached a dead end on Wednesday. According to Pastor Timothy, the kidnappers have adopted a ruthless stance:
- The Demand: N1 billion, which they insist should be "collected collectively" from residents across the entire Oro-Ago community.
- The Rejection: The community offered N1 million, which the terrorists dismissed immediately.
- The Warning: The abductors told the community not to even mention sums like N20m, N50m, or N100m before switching off their phones.
Current Condition of the Victims
The Pastor was briefly allowed to speak with his wife and other captives. They reported being extremely thirsty and exhausted. While most are uninjured, an elderly man in the group was reportedly struck in the head with a gun during the initial assault.
Key Takeaways for Information Hub Readers:
- Security Alert: This is the third time bandits have targeted the Omogo community, indicating a targeted pattern of insecurity in Ifelodun LGA.
- The Ransom: The N1 billion demand is a communal ransom, essentially attempting to "tax" the entire Oro-Ago district.
- The Situation: Communications are currently cut off as the terrorists wait for the community to "reconsider" their offer.
