Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, have fled their homes following repeated attacks by suspected bandits, leaving the once-busy settlement largely deserted.

The latest incident involved an attack on an Evangelical Church Winning All worship centre in the area via Oro-Ago, during which eight worshippers, including the pastor’s wife, were abducted. Three of the victims later escaped, while the attackers reportedly demanded a ransom of N1 billion for the remaining captives.

Residents were said to have raised N1 million in an attempt to secure the victims’ release, but the offer was rejected by the kidnappers.

In a separate attack last week in Oro-Ago, gunmen reportedly killed a vigilante member identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother, Ajere.

The assailants also broke into a Point of Sale shop located opposite the divisional office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and opened fire on the facility. No casualties were recorded in the attack on the security post.

Earlier incidents in the Oro-Ago axis included an ambush on a convoy along the Oro-Ago–Oke-Ayan road in the Ilere district, where two local hunters on escort duty were killed.

Tension heightened in the community on Saturday following intelligence reports that bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks. Security formations in the area were subsequently placed on red alert to prevent further violence.

Efforts to obtain official comments from relevant authorities on the situation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.