Kwara: Terrorists kill ECWA pastor despite N5m ransom payment

Grief has enveloped parts of Kwara State following the brutal killing of Reverend James Issa, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), by terrorists, despite the payment of a ₦5 million ransom for his release.

Rev. Issa was abducted on August 28, 2025, from Ekati village in Patigi Local Government Area. His family, church members, and community reportedly struggled for weeks to gather the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

Sources told Nupeko TV that the gunmen initially demanded a staggering ₦100 million, before reducing it to ₦5 million after negotiations. The impoverished community pooled resources together, believing the cleric would regain his freedom once the ransom was paid.

But after collecting the N5 million, the criminals shocked the community by demanding an additional N45 million. Before fresh negotiations could begin, Rev. Issa was killed.

Nupeko TV reported: “The bandits initially demanded an exorbitant ransom of N100 million. The distraught family and community were reportedly able to negotiate the sum down to N5 million, which they paid in an effort to secure the pastor’s freedom.

“After collecting the N5 million, the bandits reportedly exhibited extreme cruelty by demanding an additional N45 million. Tragically, before any further negotiation could take place, Rev. James Audu Issa was reportedly killed by the criminal gang.

“This act of brutality, known as a ‘ransom-for-murder’ scenario, where victims are killed after their families bankrupt themselves, underscores the exceptional ruthlessness of the bandit groups terrorising Kwara North.

“The death of the pastor, particularly after the community’s immense sacrifice, is a severe blow to the Ekati community and the entire Patigi Emirate, deepening the sense of despair and insecurity.”

Meanwhile, the spate of insecurity in Kwara North continues to escalate. A police officer, identified as Ezra, was abducted in Patigi Local Government Area on Thursday morning while returning from duty.

Sources said the officer, who hails from Ndanakun community, was ambushed while riding ahead of a colleague on a motorcycle. The attackers reportedly opened fire, and while his colleague escaped, Ezra was captured and taken away.

“The bandits were shooting guns sporadically,” one source said.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the abduction.

Similarly, two brothers were recently abducted on their cassava farm in Bokungi Zambufu community under the Lafiagi Emirate in Edu Local Government Area.

Witnesses told Nupeko TV that the attackers stormed the farmland, shooting indiscriminately. Villagers fled, but the brothers, including Mohammed Mohammed, a former president of the National Association of Nupe Students (NANUS), were taken away.

Residents fear the wave of attacks could cripple farming in Kwara North. They accuse authorities of failing to address the worsening insecurity, warning that livelihoods and food production are increasingly at risk.