Redeem pastor kidnapped by gunmen during service

A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God Mission has been kidnapped by yet to be identified persons.

Pastor Ayo Funsho Raphael was kidnapped right in the middle of church service last Sunday, Punch correspondent gathered.

The incident happened at the Resurrection parish of the church in Kabba junction in Lokoja.
Eye witnesses said the kidnappers, numbering about 10 stormed the church auditorium at exactly 9 am and ordered the congregation to lie down.

The pastor was said to have been dragged barefooted into the bush while his abductors shot sporadically into the air to facilitate their getaway effort.

Although no lives were lost, many members of the congregation sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of their scampering for safety when the kidnappers were shooting in to the air.

Sources revealed however that the kidnappers have opened lines of communication with the Church demanding a sum of N50 million before the pastor could be released.

The Kogi State police public relation officer ASP William Aya said he is yet to be briefed about the development.

He promised to find out and get back with development on the matter.

Punch Newspapers