ECWA Member Killed, Wife and Four Others Abducted in Kwara Community Attack
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kwara State has issued a stark warning about what it describes as a rapidly deteriorating wave of kidnappings and killings across communities in the Kwara South Senatorial District. The church is urgently calling on authorities to take immediate action to restore security and protect residents.
Details of the Oyatedo Village Attack
This urgent appeal follows a fresh and brutal attack in Oyatedo village, located within the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. According to church reports, suspected kidnappers killed an ECWA member, Omoniyi Ajise, and abducted his wife alongside four other residents. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Significantly, this attack took place while leaders from various ECWA district councils in the state were convening a security meeting in Omu-Aran. A communiqué issued at the conclusion of that meeting and made available to the press on Thursday detailed the alarming event.
Church Leaders Raise the Alarm
The communiqué was formally signed by the Chairman of the ECWA Joint District Church Councils Forum in Kwara State, Samuel Adewumi, and its Secretary, Joseph Agboluaje. The meeting brought together church leaders from the Ilorin, Omu-Aran, Igbaja, Oro-Ago, and Fate-Tanke District Church Councils to deliberate on the escalating security challenges plaguing communities across the state and neighboring regions.
The church leaders stated that this latest attack in Oyatedo adds to a growing list of incidents reported in communities around Oro-Ago, Babanla, and other parts of the district. They disclosed disturbing details of prior abductions, noting that two elderly residents, identified simply as Dada and Ishola, were among persons earlier kidnapped in Ahun village. These individuals were reportedly released after the kidnappers discovered their advanced age.
Widespread Impact on Communities and Livelihoods
Describing the security situation as deeply alarming, the leaders emphasized that kidnappings and violent attacks have become frequent occurrences in several rural communities. They issued a specific warning that the persistent insecurity is severely affecting farmers, particularly during the peak of the cashew harvesting season—a major source of livelihood for many residents.
According to the communiqué, the fear of attacks has driven many farmers to abandon their farms entirely. Communities now live under a constant and palpable threat from criminal groups. The forum also lamented that the insecurity has forced the closure of several ECWA churches in affected areas, as both members and clergy have fled their homes in search of safety.
“Many pastors are now without congregations, while members and residents have been compelled to flee their homes. Economic activities have been severely disrupted and many families have been pushed into hardship,” the communiqué stated.
The church leaders expressed grave concern that the situation has deteriorated to a point where what was once considered abnormal has now become a routine and expected part of life in many communities across the district.
Urgent Calls for Government Action
In response to this crisis, the ECWA forum has issued a direct appeal to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government, and all relevant security agencies. They are calling for an urgent strengthening of security operations across the affected areas, emphasizing that the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government.
The church is urging authorities to deploy more security personnel, enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities, and adopt proactive strategies to decisively curb kidnapping and other criminal activities in Kwara South and neighboring communities. Despite the dire circumstances, the forum assured that the church would continue to support peace efforts through prayers and moral guidance, while encouraging its members to remain law-abiding citizens. ECWA leaders reaffirmed the church's commitment to promoting peace, unity, and community development across Kwara State.
Police Response and Ongoing Efforts
When contacted for comment on these reported incidents, the Kwara State Police Command stated it was not aware of the specific attacks in Oyatedo village, as no official report had been made to the command.
“I am not aware of any such incident,” said the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, during a telephone interview on Thursday. She emphasized that the command is working tirelessly to ensure the state remains safe for all residents.
“You know the command is not resting on its oars. Just on Monday, the IGP visited Kwara State and he promised to ensure banditry in the state would be a thing of the past. We also made some arrests recently and those suspects will be charged in court soon after the conclusion of investigation,” she added, outlining ongoing security measures.
