Kaduna Pastors Killed, Wife Abducted
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed the Pastor in charge of the second Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Damakasuwa, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Amako Maraya.
The incident created tension in the area as the wife of the late cleric was also abducted by the gunmen.
The incident happened around 11 pm on Friday, a source, who is an elder in the church disclosed to newsmen.
The source said, “On Friday night, the gunmen invaded the community and went to the Pastor, gunned him down and abducted his wife to an unknown destination.”
Furthermore, the source explained that about three months ago, the gunmen had attempted kidnapping the son of the clergyman but were repelled with the help of the community, adding that the son of the Pastor was injured in the process.
He explained that the gunmen had earlier called in the morning of Saturday, demanding N3 million ransom from the family, adding that since then, they have not called again.
He stated that there has been tension in the community since the incident occurred.
He called on security agencies and the government to help rescue the widow who is traumatised at the moment.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls put on his phone or reply his messages as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a man, simply identified as John, from Amachara, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, has been nabbed by the Abia State Police Command for faking his own kidnap and demanding three million naira from his relatives as ransom.
John, according to the police, lodged at Wisdom Guest House from where he was negotiating his ransom payment with his relatives, before he was apprehended by the Police Surveillance and Intelligence strategy.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka for the Commissioner of Police, said that the fake kidnap victim had reduced the three million naira ransom money he demanded, to two million naira, before he was arrested.
“On the 13th of November 2023, reports got to the police by family members that One John Male of Amachara Umuahiah was allegedly kidnapped by unknown assailants as he went to withdraw money along Bank Road in Umuahia.
“Responding swiftly to the report, the Abia State Police took immediate action. Utilizing surveillance intelligence, the police traced the purported kidnapping to Umuahiah.
“Reaching the specified location, the police discovered Mr John at Wisdom Guest House. Examination revealed no evidence of external involvement in the alleged kidnapping.
“Mr. John confessed to orchestrating his kidnap and demanded a ransom of 3 million naira, which after negotiation reduced to 2 million naira from his family, as a desperate measure to raise funds to clear substantial debts. The matter is under discreet investigation,” she said.