Bandits Rejected ₦20m Ransom, Demanded ₦300m Before My Wife Died in Captivity – ECWA Pastor

“The heartbreaking testimony of a grieving pastor has once again exposed the devastating human cost of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. Reverend Timothy Omole, whose wife recently died while being held captive by bandits, has revealed how the kidnappers allegedly collected millions of naira, food supplies and other items from his family before rejecting the payment and demanding an even larger ransom. His emotional account has sparked renewed outrage over the growing kidnapping crisis across the country.”

” Reverend Timothy Omole, presiding minister of ECWA Church, revealed that bandits initially demanded ₦1 billion for the release of kidnapped victims, including his wife. After negotiations, the family delivered ₦20 million, food items, petrol and other supplies. However, the kidnappers later rejected the payment and demanded ₦300 million. Days later, Omole’s wife was confirmed dead in captivity.”

Reverend Timothy Omole, the presiding minister of ECWA Church, in Kwara state, has recounted the painful ordeal surrounding the abduction and eventual death of his wife while in the custody of bandits.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, recently, the cleric revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a staggering ₦1 billion ransom for the release of the victims.

However, following prolonged negotiations and repeated pleas from family members and supporters, the bandits agreed to accept a reduced amount.

According to Reverend Omole, the family eventually delivered ₦20 million alongside several food and welfare items requested by the kidnappers.

“They started with a ransom of ₦1 billion. But after so much pleading, they agreed that we should bring ₦20 million, five bags of rice, four kegs of petrol, one packet of Maggi, one jerrycan of red oil, and hard drugs worth ₦48,000,” he said.

The pastor explained that shortly after receiving the items, the kidnappers contacted the family again with a fresh demand.

“On Saturday, they called us and said the money we brought was too small. They said their boss could not accept it and directed us to go and look for ₦300 million,” Omole stated.

Tragically, only days after the new demand was made, Reverend Omole received confirmation that his wife had died in captivity, a development that has deepened the anguish of the family and renewed concerns about the growing threat of banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria.

Despite the devastating loss, the cleric expressed profound appreciation to Christian organisations, church leaders and well-wishers who stood with his family throughout the ransom negotiations and period of uncertainty.

The incident has once again highlighted the increasing insecurity facing many communities, with calls mounting for stronger measures to combat kidnapping and protect vulnerable citizens from criminal gangs operating across the country.

Background

Earlier, it was reported that five worshippers who were reportedly abducted by terrorists during a recent attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area, 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 managed to escape and shared details of the ordeal.

Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that reports emerging from the kidnappers’ den indicate that five of the abductees are feared dead after spending several weeks in captivity.

Although details surrounding the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear, the information was reportedly relayed by one of the victims who managed to escape from the terrorists’ custody.

According to a source, families of the affected victims have already been informed about the tragic 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, Pastor Omole, is among those confirmed 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 latest development has thrown the Omugo community and members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) into mourning as relatives continue to await official confirmation from security authorities.

The victims were abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed ECWA Church Omugo in Oro Ago District, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State during a church service.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that armed attackers stormed the ECWA church in Omugo, firing sporadically into the air to instill panic before forcefully herding several worshippers into the nearby forest.

A visit to the community by SaharaReporters revealed a ghost-town atmosphere, with deserted streets, shuttered homes, and residents hastily relocating to safer areas.

The roads, which residents said were usually busy with commercial activities and movement of people, were largely empty as fear spread among the population.

Initial reports indicated that eight worshippers were kidnapped during the assault, most of them elderly members of the congregation. Police authorities later confirmed that the majority of those abducted were over 70 years old.

A few days after the abduction, the terrorists reportedly contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N1 billion for their release.

Following negotiations involving relatives, community leaders, and intermediaries, the demand was reduced. Families eventually paid N20 million, along with assorted foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages requested by the kidnappers.

Despite receiving the ransom and supplies, the abductors failed to release the captives. The reported deaths of five worshippers, including the wife of Pastor Omole, have now raised fresh concerns about the worsening security situation in Kwara South and the increasing vulnerability of rural communities and places of worship to armed attacks.

Residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged captivity and the apparent inability of security agencies to secure the victims’ release despite months of rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, security authorities maintain that operations are ongoing to rescue any remaining abductees and bring the perpetrators to justice.