Police hunt abductors of Rivers pastor, three others during service

The Rivers State Police Command has expressed its commitment to capturing the abductors of Pastor Kingsley Anosike, the host pastor of Light Intercessors Church in Oyigbo, and three other ministers who were kidnapped in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The four clergymen regained their freedom on Wednesday night.

The three ministers were reportedly accompanying Bishop Moses Uzodinma, a guest speaker attending a church program.

Confirming their release on Thursday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, told our correspondent that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the gunmen responsible for the abduction. She stated, “I can confirm the release of the pastor and others who were kidnapped. An investigation is ongoing to ensure that those behind the kidnapping are apprehended and brought to justice.”

According to NIGERIA NEWS 247, the gunmen, dressed in military camouflage, invaded the church in Oyigbo on Friday night, firing shots and abducting the clerics. The attack, which lasted about 20 minutes, caused worshippers to flee in panic.

A church member, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the situation, told our correspondent that the abducted clerics were released together on Wednesday. When asked if a ransom was paid for their release, the source said, “I don’t know and I don’t have that information.”

The source further explained that the gunmen’s primary target was Bishop Uzodinma, the Presiding Pastor of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries, who was the guest minister at the event. The gunmen reportedly shot directly at the Bishop while he was preaching, but he miraculously escaped unharmed, much to their surprise. Frustrated by their failure to capture the Bishop, the gunmen abducted Pastor Anosike and the three ministers accompanying him.

The source also mentioned that one of the church workers was injured, having been hit in the leg by a bullet, and was subsequently rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The abductors allegedly demanded a ransom of N100 million, although it is unclear whether any ransom was paid prior to the release of the clerics.