Family members, disability advocates, community leaders, and human rights stakeholders have renewed calls for the release of a hearing-impaired widow who was abducted by armed bandits during a church service in Kwara State nearly three months ago.
The victim, Mosunmola Adekunle, a widow and mother of seven, was among eight worshippers kidnapped on March 22, 2026, when gunmen attacked an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Omugo community, Oro-Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ilorin, the Executive Director of Jibore Foundation, Joy Bolarin, described Adekunle’s continued captivity as deeply troubling, particularly because of her disability and family circumstances. She noted that the victim, who is hearing-impaired and unable to speak, had gone to church to worship when the attackers invaded the service and took worshippers into the forest.
Bolarin said the woman faces heightened risks in captivity because of her inability to hear verbal instructions or respond to sounds around her, expressing concern about the physical and emotional trauma she may be enduring.
“Anytime it rains, I remember there is a person with disability inside the bush,” she said, adding that it was heartbreaking to imagine the conditions under which the victim has survived for almost three months.
She called on the Federal Government, Kwara State Government, security agencies, local authorities, and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to rescue Adekunle and other captives still being held by kidnappers.
The foundation’s executive director also highlighted the impact of the abduction on the victim’s family, noting that Adekunle was already a widow before the incident and is solely responsible for the care of her seven children.
Bolarin further cited the case of another resident living with a disability, Ademola Onijala, who was reportedly abducted in the area last year and later confirmed dead by his captors despite ransom payments made by his family.
According to her, persistent insecurity has disrupted social and economic activities across several communities in the area, forcing residents to abandon homes, schools, farms, and businesses.
In an emotional appeal, Adekunle’s sister, Adedokun Rachael, urged President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to intervene and secure the release of the remaining captives.
She said information available to the family indicated that five of the eight worshippers abducted during the church attack had died in captivity, while three others, including her sister, were believed to still be alive.
“My sister is hearing-impaired. She only understands what she sees. We are pleading with the government to come to our aid,” Rachael said.
A community elder from Omugo, Jimoh, described Adekunle as a dedicated church worker who faithfully served as an usher despite her disability. He said community leaders had repeatedly raised concerns about worsening insecurity in the area but attacks and kidnappings had continued.
According to him, a recent escapee from captivity informed community members that five members of the church group had died while the remaining three captives were still being held by the kidnappers under uncertain conditions.
The elder called for urgent intervention, alleging that women held by criminal groups in the area often face abuse and inhumane treatment.
Also speaking, Ajayi Mercy, representing the Kwara State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, described the situation as a major human rights concern affecting communities across the state.
She said insecurity continued to undermine education, economic activities, and access to fundamental rights, stressing the need for coordinated action by government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to address the challenge and protect vulnerable citizens.
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