Pastor Kingsley Anosike of Light Intercessors church, Oyigbo branch, and three ministers kidnapped during a church service on August 2, 2024, have been released by their abductors.
According to a church member who wished to remain anonymous, the victims were freed on Wednesday evening, August 7, 2024. However, it is unclear whether a ransom was paid for their release.
The kidnapping occurred during a midnight program when gunmen, suspected to be herders, invaded the church, shooting sporadically for 20 minutes. The attackers targeted Bishop Blessed Moses Uzodinma, the guest minister, but he escaped unhurt. In anger, the gunmen kidnapped Pastor Anosike and three ministers from Bishop Uzodinma’s entourage.
The abductors initially demanded a 100 million naira ransom but later reduced it to 20 million naira.
The Rivers State Police Command has not commented on the incident.