…Kidnapped While Saving A Baby
Rachael Omole, wife of Pastor Sunday Omole, minister-in-charge of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, has been confirmed dead after being held captive by terrorists who demanded over N1.2 billion in ransom, and killed her even after a substantial payment was made.
Pastor Jephtha Boniface, who disclosed the incident, said the attack occurred on March 22, 2026, when armed terrorists stormed the ECWA church during worship, triggering a mass stampede as congregants fled for their lives.
In the chaos, a mother accidentally left her infant behind.
“Upon noticing the abandoned child, Rachael picked up the baby, strapped the child to her back, and attempted to escape,” Pastor Boniface said. “However, the terrorists caught up with her and abducted her along with the baby.”
He said that while moving through the forest, the terrorists determined that the baby and two elderly captives were slowing their pace and abandoned all three, an act that likely spared the infant’s life.
According to Pastor Boniface, the kidnappers contacted Pastor Omole and issued an initial demand of N1 billion. After protracted negotiations and desperate pleas, the family and church community raised and delivered: N20 million in cash, 10 50kg bags of rice,
50 litres of palm oil, 200 litres of petrol, and cartons of pain-relief medications.
Despite receiving the payment and supplies, the terrorists refused to release Rachael.
“They demanded an additional N200 million, a medium-sized Milkano generator and other supplies,” Pastor Boniface said. “The family could not meet these demands.”
Pastor Boniface said it was only days ago that a captive who had escaped informed the family of what Rachael endured before her death. She was reportedly subjected to violent sexual assault and brutal torture before being killed.
The attack on the Omugo ECWA church is part of a wider pattern of kidnappings targeting rural communities and places of worship across Kwara and neighbouring states in north-central Nigeria.
Criminal gangs operating in the region have increasingly used prolonged captivity and escalating ransom demands as a strategy, frequently killing victims regardless of payment.
Rachael is survived by her husband and children. #Securitynewsalert.com
