Terrorists have killed Reverend James Audu Issa, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), in Kwara State, despite his family and community paying a N5 million ransom.
The pastor was abducted on August 28, 2025, from Ekati village in Patigi Local Government Area. Initially, the kidnappers demanded N100 million, which was negotiated down to N5 million.
However, after collecting the ransom, they demanded an additional N45 million before killing the pastor.
This incident highlights the growing insecurity in Kwara North, where bandit groups have been terrorizing communities, kidnapping residents, and extorting money.
The killing has deepened the sense of despair and insecurity in the Ekati community and the entire Patigi Emirate.
A police officer, identified as Ezra, was abducted in Patigi Local Government Area while returning from duty.
The attackers ambushed him and his colleague, shooting sporadically, and took Ezra away.
Two brothers, including Mohammed Mohammed, a former president of the National Association of Nupe Students (NANUS), were abducted on their cassava farm in Bokungi Zambufu community.
The attackers stormed the farm, shooting indiscriminately, and took the brothers away.
Residents fear the wave of attacks could cripple farming in Kwara North and accuse authorities of failing to address the worsening insecurity, warning that livelihoods and food production are increasingly at risk.