Gunmen who abducted eight worshippers in Omugo community, Oro-Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reduced their ransom demand from N1bn to N150m, as concern grows over the victims’ continued captivity.
The victims were kidnapped on March 22 during a church service at the Evangelical Church of West Africa, an incident that has left the community gripped by fear and displacement.
Speaking in Ilorin on Thursday, a spokesperson for concerned residents, Jimoh Olaitan, said the abductors had initially demanded N1bn but later reduced it to N150m, insisting on full payment.
“The abductors have reduced the ransom to N150 million, but they are determined to collect it,” Olaitan said.
He noted that the revised amount remains far beyond the reach of the victims’ families and the wider community, leaving relatives in distress.
According to him, the security situation in Omugo has worsened since the abduction, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
“The community is virtually deserted. People are leaving in large numbers, and many houses have been abandoned due to fear of further attacks,” he said.
Olaitan added that only local vigilantes and hunters remain in the area, protecting properties left behind by fleeing residents, as normal life has come to a halt.
He also expressed concern over the absence of security personnel at the community’s police post, describing the situation as alarming and contributing to the vulnerability of the area.
Appealing to government authorities, Olaitan urged the Federal and Kwara State governments, as well as security agencies, to intervene urgently to secure the release of the abducted worshippers.
He called for a coordinated rescue operation involving federal, state, and local security outfits, warning that any delay could further endanger the victims.
Olaitan also advocated the immediate deployment of security personnel to the area, activation of the existing police post, and establishment of a Joint Task Force base to restore confidence.
He further suggested integrating local vigilantes and hunters into formal security efforts, noting that their knowledge of the terrain could help prevent further attacks.
