Bandits Reduce ECWA Worshippers’ Ransom from ₦1bn to ₦150m

Bandits holding eight worshippers from an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Kwara State have reportedly reduced their ransom demand from ₦1 billion to ₦150 million, intensifying fears over the prolonged captivity of the victims and worsening insecurity in the region.

This development was reported on April 10, 2026, as community representatives confirmed that initial negotiations with the abductors began with an outrageous ₦1 billion demand before it was later reduced to ₦150 million, a figure still far beyond the financial capacity of the victims’ families and the affected community.

The worshippers were abducted during a church service in Omugo community in the Oro-Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area, an attack that has since left the area deserted as residents flee in fear of further violence. Community leaders say only vigilantes and hunters now remain to guard abandoned homes and property while appeals for urgent government intervention continue.

The incident highlights Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis, where abductors increasingly use ransom negotiations as leverage, prolonging trauma for victims and their families while exposing deep security gaps in rural communities. Analysts warn that without stronger intelligence-driven operations and permanent security presence, such attacks may continue to spread.

Ultimately, the standoff underscores a painful reality: in many communities, survival now depends not only on rescue efforts but on whether families can meet impossible ransom demands imposed by armed groups operating with growing confidence.