9Abductors of eight worshippers from Omugo community in Oro-Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have reduced their ransom demand from N1bn to N150m, amid growing anxiety over the victims’ continued captivity.
The disclosure was made on Thursday by the spokesperson for concerned residents of the community, Jimoh Olaitan, while addressing journalists in Ilorin.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the victims were abducted on March 22 during a church service at the Evangelical Church of West Africa, an attack that has since thrown the community into fear and desertion.
Olaitan explained that the kidnappers initially demanded N1bn before reducing the amount to N150m, insisting that the latest figure must be paid.
“The abductors have reduced the ransom to N150 million. They are bent on collecting that sum of money,” he said.
Olaitan described the revised demand as still far beyond what the victims’ families and the community could afford, noting that the situation has left relatives of the abductees in deep distress.
“That amount is still too much for the families. There is no way they can raise such money. The entire community is overwhelmed,” he said.
He lamented that the security situation in “Omugo has deteriorated significantly since the incident, forcing residents to flee their homes. The community is deserted. People are moving out in droves. As we speak, many houses have been abandoned because people are afraid of being attacked again,” he said.
According to him, only local vigilantes and hunters remain in the area, guarding properties left behind by fleeing residents.
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“If you go there now, you will only meet vigilantes and hunters securing the properties. There is fear everywhere, and normal life has completely stopped,” he added.
Olaitan further decried the absence of security personnel at the community’s police post, describing the situation as alarming.
“We have a police post in the community, but there are no officers stationed there. That has made the place more vulnerable,” he said.
He appealed to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government, and security agencies to urgently intervene to secure the release of the abducted worshippers.
“We are calling on the government and all security agencies to come to our aid. These people have been in captivity for too long,” he said.
Olaitan stressed the need for a coordinated rescue effort involving federal, state, and local authorities, warning that delay could worsen the situation.
“There should be a joint operation to rescue these victims. Time is of the essence, and every delay increases the danger,” he said.
He also called for immediate deployment of security personnel and logistics to the area, including the activation of the existing police post and the establishment of a permanent Joint Task Force base.
“We need security presence in that community. The police post should be activated, and a JTF base should be established to restore confidence,” he said.
Olaitan added that incorporating local vigilantes and hunters into formal security operations would strengthen efforts to safeguard the community.
“Our local hunters and vigilantes understand the terrain very well. If they are properly integrated, it will improve security and help prevent further attacks,” he said.
PUNCH
