The District Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church, Ikorodu, Lagos State was Friday kidnapped at Okurikang Junction along Calabar-Itu Highway in Cross River State.
The clergy man, Rev. Ekpenyong Edet James, who hails from Isong Inyang village in Odukpani local government area of Cross River State, was said to be returning from the inspection sites of school, hospital and large scale palm plantation embarked by him in his home town.
However, the abductors have contacted the family and demanded N50 million ransoms for his release.
When contacted, ASP Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident said that the police were working round the clock to ensure his safe release.
Ugbo said that the clergy man’s female friend, who was with him at the time of the incident, was being investigated as she was the first contact and suspect.
She said “The female friend who was with him at the time he was kidnapped said when the men came to drag him out of the vehicle as he was making call, people ran away and she went to hide somewhere.
“She is our first contact and suspect. We are investigating her because the next day we contacted his wife and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) got some useful information from her. By the grace of God we’re working on it and he will be released very soon.”
(DailyPost)