Bandits killed 5 worshippers after collecting N20m ransom in Kwara church attack

This story from Omugo community in Kwara State is breaking my heart. On March 22, 2026, bandits stormed ECWA church during Sunday service and abducted 8 worshippers. Reverend Sunday Timothy Omole Toba lost his wife Racheal Omole in the ordeal. The other deceased victims are Elder Chief David Omopariola, Elder Joseph Afariogun, Iyabo Aniyi, and Elder Joshua Adeyemi known as Jogo.

The kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion but after negotiations they agreed to N20 million plus bags of rice, petrol, cooking oil, seasoning cubes and medications. Churches from Lagos, Ogun and other states helped raise the money. But after collecting it, the kidnappers came back asking for N300 million more, then a generator, more rice, petrol, phone chargers, electrical cables. The families kept paying hoping to get their loved ones back.

A man named Sunday Bakare was kidnapped from his farm and taken to the same camp. He escaped after one month and wandered through forest for 10 days before reaching safety in Egbe, Kogi State. He confirmed only 3 of the 8 worshippers were still alive. Reverend Omole's 14-year-old daughter Oluwa Darasimi said they are still mourning and trying to stay strong. How can we keep living like this in Nigeria?