Residents of Omugo in Oro-Ago District, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have reportedly deserted their homes following renewed fears of terrorist attacks in the area, leaving vigilantes and local hunters to watch over abandoned properties.
Speaking during a press briefing in Ilorin on Thursday, spokesperson of the concerned citizens, Jimoh Olaitan, called on the state government to urgently restore security in the community to allow displaced residents to return.
According to Vanguard, he also urged authorities to step up coordinated security operations and intensify rescue efforts aimed at securing the release of abducted worshippers still in captivity.
It would be recalled that about 18 days earlier, armed men stormed an Evangelical Church Winning All during a Sunday service in the community and kidnapped eight elderly worshippers.
According to Olaitan, the abductors initially demanded a ransom of ₦1 billion before later reducing it to ₦150 million, insisting that payment must be made before the victims are released.
Mr Olaitan said, “Omugo community is deserted. People are moving out in droves. If you go there now, you will only meet vigilantes and hunters who are securing the property left behind. We have a police post but no police personnel manning the station.
“We are appealing to the state government to restore security to the community so that our people can go back home to carry out their daily activities.
“The abductors have reduced the ransom to N150 million. They are bent on collecting that sum of money.”
He further explained that, “Reports from contacts with the abductors indicate that an initial ransom demand of ₦1 billion was made and later reduced to ₦150 million—an amount far beyond the financial capacity of the victims’ families and the community.”
Olaitan added that the community is urgently seeking government intervention to secure the release of the kidnapped worshippers and restore safety in the area.
Continuing, the spokesperson added that “we are desperately appealing for the rescue of eight abducted Worshippers and total Security Intervention in Omugo community.
“This is the third time in six months that the shadow of terror has fallen upon our land. This time, the predators succeeded, turning a day of worship into a nightmare of blood and tears.
“This is not merely a security breach; it is a brutal assault on our faith, our dignity, and our very right to exist.
“In the light of this development, the community urged the federal, state and Ifelodun local governments and all relevant security agencies to launch a coordinated, intelligence-driven rescue operation to secure the safe and unconditional release of the abducted worshippers; immediate deployment of police personnel, equipment, and logistics to activate the station and ensure a permanent security presence; establishment of a permanent Joint Task Force (JTF) base in Omugo and integration of local vigilante and hunter groups,” he said.
