From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
There were indications that abducted Pastor Kingsley Anosike of Light Intercessors Church branch located at Chimezie Street, Ebelu axis of Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, and three other clerics have regained freedom from captivity.
The three clerics, who are attached to a guest pastor to the church, Bishop Blessed Moses Uzodimma of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries, were kidnapped alongside Anosike.
It was gathered that the pastors, who spent five days in the kidnappers’ den, regained freedom on Wednesday evening.
A member of the church who pleaded anonymity, confirmed their release, but was silent on whether the church paid ransom or not before the victims were freed.
It was gathered that the gunmen suspected to be herders, dressed in military camouflage invaded the Light Intercessors Church branch in Oyigbo, at about 3am on 2nd August 2, 2024, during a midnight programme and shot sporadically for at least 20 minutes unchallenged.
The source disclosed that the gunmen targeted Bishop Blessed Uzodimma of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries who was the guest minister in the church.
According to him (the source), the gunmen shot directly at Bishop Uzodimma who was preaching on the church altar, but he (Uzodimma) was unhurt and ‘vanished’ to the astonishment of the gunmen.
Angered by the development, the gunmen kidnapped the host Pastor, Kingsley Anosike and three other ministers in the entourage of the guest pastor, who was their main target.
Daily Sun further learnt that, one of the church workers of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries who was caught by bullet on his leg was rushed to the hospital after the arrival of the Police.
The source also revealed that the suspected herders established contact with the church hours after whisking the victims away, demanding N100 million ransom.
Daily Sun reliably gathered that as at Monday evening, the gunmen reduced the ransom to N20 million.
It could not be ascertained if ransom was paid or not before the clergy men were released by their abductors.
The State Police Command was yet to confirm the incident at the time of filing the report.
