Suspected gunmen are demanding N100 million ransom to free abducted Apostle John Okoriko, who is the founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Akwa Ibom State.
Okoriko was abducted at his church residence at Ibekwe Akpan Nya in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.
Although he lives in Uyo, the state capital, reports say the gunmen kidnapped Mr Okoriko, 74, at about 5 p.m. at the headquarters of the church, called “National Capitol.”
Mr Okoriko’s home is within the ‘National Capitol,’ 42 kilometers from the Uyo.
The clergyman reportedly travelled home for a meeting with church members and community leaders when the incident occurred.
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After the meeting, he was reportedly preparing to return to Uyo, when the gunmen stormed the church premises and shoot sporadically to scare others away.
They were said to have shot into the air and forced their way into his sitting room, dragged the octogenarian outside of his house, and whisked him away into a nearby bush.
“We have received the report and the Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation to commence,” said Odiko Mcdon who is the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom.
“As I speak a lot has been done already; I want to believe that we will get to the root of it (the abduction) in no distant time.”
Mcdon explained that a crime has been committed, saying that the police command has been working assiduously to unravel the crime and bring the perpetrators to book.
The abduction comes months after suspected kidnappers laid siege to Ekparakwa in Oruk Anam LGA and neighbouring villages in Mkpat Enin.
On whether the kidnappers have made any demand for ransom, Mcdon said the command was not aware of any such demand at the time of the report.
Linus Ukoenang, a bishop and national secretary of the church, told PREMIUM TIMES that the kidnappers contacted the family of the cleric Wednesday morning demanding a N100 million ransom.
It is reported that the gunmen want the family to pay the ransom within 48 hours.
