Evangelist Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministries in Ilorin, Nigeria, has revealed that he and over 100 vulnerable residents of his camp in Kwara State have been left homeless since a midnight evacuation in May 2026. The evacuation was prompted by police warnings that kidnappers were planning to attack the facility. Omolehin, a prominent Christian evangelist, stated that the camp has remained deserted following the evacuation.
According to Omolehin, the police arrived at the camp on the night of May 30-31 and ordered an immediate evacuation. Although he was not present during the evacuation, the kidnappers eventually arrived at the camp but found it empty. Omolehin disclosed that the camp, which catered to orphaned children, staff, and various facilities, including a primary school, secondary school, hospital, old people's home, and rehabilitation centre, has been abandoned.
The humanitarian impact of the displacement has been significant, with the abandoned camp's facilities, including schools and a hospital, currently non-functional. Omolehin stated that he has been forced into hiding and can no longer return to his home or move freely in public. He described the situation as dire, with over 100 residents scattered across different locations due to the lack of clearance from authorities to return to the camp.
Omolehin revealed that repeated appeals to the police for clearance to return to the camp have yielded no response. He also submitted reports to the Department of State Services and the Kwara State Ministry of Social Welfare, but received no official response. The camp's residents, including children, are currently unable to access essential services, including education and healthcare.
Omolehin's ordeal did not end with the evacuation of his camp. He disclosed that three days after the attack on his camp in Kwara, his village in Kogi State was also attacked, resulting in the loss of lives. The kidnappers, according to Omolehin, did not destroy the camp's buildings but were intent on abducting people.
In the aftermath of the evacuation, thieves began breaking into the camp and stealing belongings. Omolehin clarified that the thieves were different from the kidnappers, who were targeting human beings rather than property. The camp's structures remain intact, but the lack of security has led to the loss of essential items.
The situation has left Omolehin and his family in a precarious state, with makeshift living arrangements. He emphasized the need for assistance and security to enable the camp's residents to return to their homes and resume their lives. The incident highlights the growing insecurity in Nigeria and its impact on vulnerable populations.
Key points
- Over 100 residents of Omolehin's camp remain homeless following a bandit-led evacuation in May 2026.
- The abandoned camp's facilities, including schools and a hospital, are currently non-functional.
- Omolehin has been forced into hiding and is unable to return to his home or move freely in public.
