Kidnappers abduct RCCG Pastor during service

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

It was gathered that Pastor Ayo Raphael was kidnapped during the Sunday service at the Resurrection parish of the RCCG in Kabba junction in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

Eyewitnesses said the kidnappers, numbering about 10, stormed the church auditorium at about 9am and ordered the congregation to lie face down.

An eyewitness, who pleaded not to be named, said:

“The pastor was dragged out of the church into the bush while the abductors shot sporadically into the air to facilitate their escape.”

Although no lives were lost, many members of the congregation were said to have sustained injuries as a result of their scampering for safety as the kidnappers were shooting into the air.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the kidnappers had contacted the church, demanding N50m before the pastor could be released.

The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said he had yet to be briefed about the incident.

He promised to get back to Punch on the police efforts on the matter, but had yet to do so as of press time.