Armed groups in Kwara state in north-central Nigeria killed a local pastor after abducting him and receiving ransom payments from his community.
Rev. James Audu Issa, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), was taken from Ekati village in Patigi local government area on Aug. 28. According to locals, his abductors initially demanded ₦100 million (roughly $67,000). Weeks of negotiations followed, with family members, church leaders, and villagers contributing funds to secure his release.
Community members eventually raised ₦5 million ($3,300), a sum far beyond the means of the largely rural community. The money was delivered to the kidnappers, but instead of releasing the pastor, the armed group demanded an additional ₦45 million ($30,000). Before any further talks could take place, Rev. Issa was killed.
Local media outlet Nupeko TV reported that the pastor’s killing left the Ekati village and surrounding Patigi Emirate in shock, as residents had depleted scarce resources in hopes of saving his life. Villagers described the incident as a devastating loss for the church and community.
The killing comes amid a surge in kidnappings across Kwara North, where farming communities and travelers have increasingly become targets. Days before the pastor’s death was confirmed, a police officer identified as Ezra was abducted in the same local government area. Witnesses said he was returning from duty on a motorcycle when gunmen ambushed him and a colleague between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. The officer riding behind managed to escape, but Ezra was captured and taken to an undisclosed location.
Eyewitnesses described the attackers as heavily armed and firing indiscriminately during the ambush. Security officials have not yet released a statement on the incident or confirmed whether search and rescue operations are underway.
The wave of abductions has not been limited to travelers. On Sept. 30, two brothers were seized while working on their cassava farm in Bokungi Zambufu, a village under the Lafiagi Emirate in Edu local government area. Witnesses said armed men stormed the farmland, firing into the air and scattering other farmers in the area. The brothers, one of whom has been identified as a former president of the National Association of Nupe Students, were unable to escape and were taken away.
Residents said the frequency of attacks in Edu and Patigi has left many afraid to tend to their farms or travel along major roads. Local farmers warn that the violence poses a threat to food production in the region, where agriculture is the primary livelihood.
Security analysts note that rural communities in north-central Nigeria have increasingly been targeted by armed groups, who demand ransoms from impoverished families. In many cases, payments are made without guarantees of safety, leaving victims vulnerable to further violence.
At the time of reporting, no arrests have been announced in connection with the killing of Rev. Issa or the other abductions in Kwara state. Community members continue to call for greater security presence and action from authorities to protect lives and livelihoods in the area. — International Christian Concern
