Gunmen who abducted worshippers during a church service in Kwara State have demanded a ₦1 billion ransom for their release, days after the attack that left the community in fear.

The victims were kidnapped on Sunday when armed men invaded an Evangelical Church Winning All in Omugo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area during worship.

The assailants reportedly invaded the church premises while the congregation was worshipping, forcing several members to flee while others were taken away by the gunmen.

The incident has since sparked panic among residents and worshippers in the area.

The church’s presiding pastor, Omole Timothy, said the abductors later contacted relatives of the victims and demanded a ransom.

“They called us and told us that the victims are in good spirits, but they demanded ₦1 billion from all the communities in Oro-Ago,” he said.

Timothy said efforts to negotiate with the kidnappers had not yielded results. According to him, the abductors rejected an initial offer of ₦1 million and warned families not to bargain.

“They told us not to talk even about ₦20 million, ₦50 million, ₦100 million, and they switched off the phone,” he added.

The pastor disclosed that he was able to speak with some of the abducted victims, including his wife.

He said the victims complained of thirst, while one elderly man sustained a head injury after being struck with a gun.

Meanwhile, security concerns in the area have intensified following reports of another attack in the nearby Oro-Ago community.

A source who spoke with Premium Times said gunmen invaded the town on Wednesday evening, killing a vigilante commander and shooting the community’s chief security officer, popularly known as the Olu-òde.

“They wanted to invade the Oro-Ago police station. They killed the vigilante commander and shot the chief security officer,” the source said.

The attackers were said to have operated in the area for over an hour.

Residents said the attack triggered panic in the community, forcing many people to flee their homes or remain indoors as gunshots echoed across the area.