Abductors of eight worshippers from Omugo community in Oro-Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have reduced their ransom demand to N150m.
The development comes amid rising concern over the continued captivity of the victims.
According to a community representative, Jimoh Olaitan, who spoke on Thursday in Ilorin, the kidnappers initially demanded N1bn before slashing it to N150m, insisting the revised amount must still be paid.
“The abductors have reduced the ransom to N150 million. They are bent on collecting that sum of money,” he said.
He added that the demand remains far beyond what the victims’ families and the community can afford, describing the situation as distressing.
“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.
Olaitan also revealed that the Omugo community has been largely deserted due to fear of further attacks.
“Omugo 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.
He noted that only local vigilantes and hunters currently remain in the area, guarding abandoned properties.
“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.
He further raised concern over 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.
Olaitan called on the Federal Government, Kwara State Government, and security agencies to urgently intervene and secure the release of the abducted worshippers.
He also urged for a coordinated rescue operation involving all levels of government, warning that delays 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 added that deploying security personnel and activating the police post, alongside establishing a Joint Task Force base, would help restore confidence in the area.
Olaitan also suggested that integrating local vigilantes and hunters into formal security operations would strengthen efforts to protect the community.
