Bandits who invaded an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara last Sunday and kidnapped worshippers during a church service have demanded N1 billion ransom for their release.

The church’s presiding pastor, Omole Timothy, disclosed this while speaking to journalists on Wednesday.

Mr Timothy said the abductors contacted relatives and insisted that the ransom be raised collectively with immediate effect.

“They called us and told us that the victims are in good spirits, but they demanded N1 billion from all the communities in Oro-Ago,” the cleric said.

My Timothy noted that the armed bandits refused attempts to negotiate the ransom to N1 million, adding ttheyhat  warned against further bargaining.

He added, “They told us not to talk even about N20 million, N50 million, N100 million, and they switched off the phone.”

Noting that he spoke with some of the victims, including his wife, the cleric said the abductees complained of thirst.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, in a statement last Sunday, said three of the victims had been successfully rescued following immediate response by the security operatives.

Ms Olukoju added that the government also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.

The killings, abductions and subsequent ransom demands have deepened concerns over the safety of lives and property in Kwara State, especially in Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun and other rural communities, where bandits’ attacks have disrupted livelihoods.

The state police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, did not return calls to her mobile and messages sent on Thursday before this story was filed.