By The Metro 
Five worshippers abducted during an attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly died while in captivity.
Among the victims was the wife of the church minister, Pastor Omole. The tragic development was revealed by one of the abductees who manage to escape from the kidnappers’ den.
According to Sahara Reporters, sources familiar with the development said information emerging from the captors’ hideout indicated that five of the abductees were feared dead after spending several weeks in captivity.
Although the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear, the information was reportedly relayed by one of the victims who managed to escape from captivity.
A source said families of the affected victims had already been informed about the development.
“The sad news has been broken to the families of the deceased,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that the wife of the minister in charge of the church was among those reported dead.
“The wife of the minister in charge of the church, Pastor Omole, is one of those who reportedly died in captivity,” the source said.
The development has thrown the Omugo community and members of the ECWA congregation into mourning as relatives await official confirmation from security authorities.
The worshippers were abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded ECWA Church Omugo during a church service in Oro Ago District, Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The attackers reportedly fired sporadically into the air before forcing several worshippers into a nearby forest.
Earlier reports indicated that eight worshippers, most of them elderly members of the church, were kidnapped during the attack. Police authorities later confirmed that the majority of those abducted were over 70 years old.
The kidnappers were said to have initially demanded N1 billion for the release of the victims before the amount was reduced following negotiations involving families, community leaders and intermediaries.
Reports indicated that relatives eventually paid N20 million alongside food items and alcoholic beverages requested by the abductors.
Despite receiving the ransom and supplies, the victims were not released, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in Kwara South and the vulnerability of rural communities and places of worship to armed attacks.
Residents have reportedly expressed frustration over the prolonged captivity of the victims and the inability of security agencies to secure their release.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to officially confirm the reported deaths, although rescue efforts were said to be ongoing.