Church in mourning: How banditry shattered lives, faith in Kwara’s Omugo community

On a quiet Sunday morning of March 22, 2026, worshippers gathered at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, a rural community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, expecting another day of prayers and fellowship.

Instead, terror struck, and bandits stormed the church during worship, abducting eight congregants and dragging them into the surrounding forest. What followed was a painful journey of hope, fear, sacrifice and, ultimately, heartbreak for families, church members, and an entire community already struggling under the weight of insecurity.

Months later, the tragedy has left deep scars. Five of the eight worshippers kidnapped from the church have been confirmed dead in captivity, according to the church’s presiding minister, Reverend Sunday Timothy Omole Toba, who lost his wife, Racheal Omole, in the ordeal.

Other deceased victims are: Elder Chief David Omopariola, Elder Joseph Afariogun, Iyabo Aniyi, and Elder Joshua Adeyemi, popularly known as “Jogo.”

For Reverend Omole, the tragedy is more than a statistic. It is a personal loss that has transformed the lives of his family forever.

A Costly Struggle for Freedom

Following the abduction, families, church members and Christian organisations across Kwara State and beyond mobilised resources to secure the release of the victims.

According to Reverend Omole, negotiations with the kidnappers were long, exhausting and unpredictable.

“The kidnappers initially demanded one billion naira. After much pleading, we eventually agreed to pay N20 million alongside several items they requested.”

The demands went beyond cash. The kidnappers insisted on receiving five bags of rice, large quantities of petrol, cooking oil, seasoning cubes and medications.

Churches and Christian groups from different parts of Nigeria, including Lagos, Ogun and other States, rallied round the affected families, contributing funds and offering support.

“If we were to raise the N20 million ourselves, we could never have done it,” Reverend Omole said. “The Church of God stood with us and lightened our burden.”

Yet despite meeting the demands, freedom never came.

After collecting the ransom, the kidnappers reportedly returned with fresh demands, insisting that the amount paid was insufficient and asking for an additional N300 million.

When that proved impossible, they lowered the demand but continued making new requests, including a generator, bags of rice, petrol, phone chargers, electrical cables and other supplies.

The families remained hopeful, believing that compliance would eventually lead to the release of their loved ones.

The Devastating Truth

For weeks, relatives clung to hope.

Rumours circulated that some captives had died, but families refused to believe them.

Reverend Omole said he had spoken with his wife and Elder Joshua Adeyemi shortly before the ransom was delivered, strengthening his conviction that they were still alive.

Then came the bad news that shattered every hope.

A member of the Omugo community, identified simply as Sunday Bakare, was kidnapped from his farm and taken to the same bandit camp. After spending about a month in captivity, he escaped and wandered through the forest for nearly ten days before finding safety in Egbe, Kogi State.

Upon his return, he brought devastating news.

According to his account, only three of the eight church worshippers remained alive.

Five had died in captivity.

“He was there. He saw some of them die,” Reverend Omole said quietly. “He told us what happened. At that point, we could no longer dismiss it as rumour.”

The survivor reportedly disclosed that at least 12 people died in the camp during the period he spent there, highlighting the harsh and inhumane conditions under which captives were held.

Faced with eyewitness testimony from someone who knew the victims personally, families had no choice but to accept the painful reality and begin mourning their loved ones.

A Family’s Grief

Among those most affected is Reverend Omole’s family.

Months after his wife’s abduction, he still struggles to come to terms with her death.

“It has not been easy for the children and me,” he said. “We have been mourning since the day she was taken because we never knew what she was going through in the forest without food, without shelter.”

Although devastated, he draws strength from his faith.

“We did not like the way she died, but God knows better. We accept everything that has happened to the glory of God.”

For his 14-year-old daughter, Oluwa Darasimi, the pain remains raw.

Fighting back tears, she described the emotional burden her family has carried since her mother’s abduction.

“We were very sad and scared,” she said. “When they asked for huge amounts of money, we kept wondering how we could ever raise it. God helped us through that.”

“But now, knowing that we will never have the opportunity to see our mother again, the sadness is even greater.”

Despite the tragedy, she remains determined to support her father and siblings.

“By the special grace of God, we are going to stand strong with our daddy.”

A Community Under Siege

The tragedy reflects a broader security crisis affecting Omugo and neighbouring communities.

Residents say persistent attacks by armed groups have forced many people to abandon their homes and farmlands.

Several traditional rulers and community leaders have relocated to larger towns such as Omu-Aran, Ilorin and even Ibadan in Oyo State, leaving once-thriving settlements increasingly deserted.

Fear now hangs heavily over communities that were once known for peaceful farming and communal living.

For many residents, the kidnapping of worshippers inside a church represents a frightening new reality – one in which no place appears safe.

Holding onto Faith

Despite the immense loss, Reverend Omole remains grateful to the countless individuals and organisations that supported his family throughout the ordeal.

“I appreciate the Church of God in Nigeria, in Kwara State and beyond,” he said. “I appreciate everyone who donated, prayed and shared our pains.”

He believes the tragedy should unite Christians and communities against the growing threat of insecurity.

“All of us must be united to fight this challenge. We will overcome.”

For the families left behind, however, healing may take much longer.

In Omugo, where empty homes now stand as reminders of displacement and fear, memories of that Sunday morning continue to linger.

The church building still stands. The prayers continue. But for five families, the pews will forever remain empty.