Rev. James Audu Issa, pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ekati, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, who was kidnapped by bandits has been confirmed dead.
Issa was abducted from his pastorium in Ekati village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
The bandits had initially demanded N100 million ransom but the family and the community were only able to raise N5 million and delivered the sum to his captors to secure his release.
However, reports said the criminals allegedly turned around to demand an additional N45 million.
Before further negotiations could continue, the pastor was killed in captivity, sending shockwaves through Ekati community and the entire Patigi Emirate.
The brutal murder of the cleric after ransom payment has been described as a disturbing escalation in the operations of criminal gangs, underscoring the ruthless tactics increasingly deployed by bandits across Kwara North.
