A popular radio and television evangelist, Apostle John Okoriko, has been kidnapped in Akwa Ibom State by unknown kidnappers.
Daily Report Nigeria gathered that Okoriko, the founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church (SRKC) in the hamlet of Ibekwe Akpan Nya in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, was abducted on Tuesday evening.
About five gunmen were said to have entered the church, which also serves as his residence to kidnap the clergyman.
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Witnesses said the gunmen gained access to the pastor’s home by scaling the back fence, which leads to a thick forest, around ten minutes after the victim arrived in his Lexus SUV.
Bassey Asuquo, a neighbor of the cleric said, “After successfully scaling the fence, the gunmen began shooting intermittently and forced their way into his sitting room, where they dragged the elderly man, forcing neighbours to flee for safety.”
Asuquo said the police were immediately called and searched the bushes alongside numerous volunteer youths for Pastor Okoriko in futility.
According to family members who asked to remain anonymous, the Apostle himself called the family on his phone to inform them that his kidnappers demanded N100 million to free him.
In a brief statement on Wednesday, SP Odiko Macdon, spokesman for the state police command, acknowledged the occurrence.
“The Command has received a report on the incident and the Commissioner of Police Andrew (CP), Mr. Amiengheme Andrew, has ordered for a discreet investigation with a view to apprehending the suspects and to the victim unharmed,” the PPRO stated.
