The Police in River State, Southwest Nigeria, have announced their determination to arrest and bring to justice the kidnappers who abducted the lead pastor of Light Intercessors Church, Oyigbo, Pastor Kingsley Anosike, after his successful release alongside other ministers of the church in Oyigbo in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State late Wednesday.
According to reports, the arrested individuals were attached to Bishop Moses Uzodinma, who was a speaker at the programme organised by the church.
Police Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the release of the minister on Thursday, noted that an in-depth investigation was ongoing to ascertain the arrest of the abductors and bring them before the law.
On Friday, some unknown gunmen who were dressed in military uniforms invaded the church, which is a new generation located in Oyigbo. They shot sporadically and took the pastor away to an unknown destination, leaving the members a big surprise.
It was explained that the gunmen, when they invaded the church, continued to shoot for over twenty minutes and worshipers who were helpless amidst the shooting.
One member of the church who spoke anonymously to the press noted that after they were abducted on Friday, the kidnappers decided to let them go Wednesday after difficult deliberations.
Speaking on the releases, the church member noted that the Bishop of the church and all the three ministers who were abducted at the same time have all been released; he explained that the release took place at the same time. He noted that he knew if any ransom was paid before their release, explaining that such information was not provided.
He explained that the criminals’ major targets were the Presiding Pastor of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries, who was the guest minister at the programme, and Bishop Bishop Uzodinma.
The source,e however, said the gunmen targeted Bishop Uzodinma, the Presiding Pastor of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries, who was the guest minister at the church programme. The gunmen, upon their arrival at the church, had targeted the Bishop who was preaching they invaded the church; he explained that the men had shot at the Bishop when they arrived but were unhurt, to their surprise.
After their efforts failed, the gunmen kidnapped three ministers who escorted the Bishop and the host pastor, Anosike. The shots fired by the gunmen, according to the source, found their way to the leg of one of the worshipers, who was rushed to the hospital immediately; thankfully, the member survived.
He also said that one of the church workers was hit by a bullet in his leg and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The abductors had demanded the payment of a hundred million naira before the release of the individuals, but it is unknown if any amount was paid before their release.
