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Kogi Army Says Fake: Three Abducted Pastors Freed After Paying N2Million Ransom -Source
A shocking revelation has emerged contradicting the Kogi State government’s claim that the Nigerian Army rescued three herdsmen who were abducted from the state.
According to a reliable source, the rebels released the herdsmen after they paid a ransom of N2 million.
SaharaReporters reported that the pastors were abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ejule in Ofu district of Kogi state.
This happened shortly after he served at the town meeting.
The officials said they ambushed the herdsmen along the Ejule-Ofakaga-Anyigba road around 11pm on Monday, January 20, 2025, on their way from the battle area.
One of the abducted pastors, identified as Evangelist Gabriel Onaji, was a guest minister at the three-day “Ejule Gospel Crusade,” hosted by Evangelist Sunday Oguche, President of God’s Care Missions, Okpo.
Their car was later found abandoned in Ofakaga village along the Ejule-Anyigba road.
The kidnappers also demanded N20 million for their release, according to a person who was present at the event and knows one of the abducted pastors.
A statement issued by Unubi Emmanuel, the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of the State on Wednesday announced the rescue of these elders and others who were tortured by the Nigerian Army and other security personnel.
The government said that no ransom was paid to release the abducted people.
Emmanuel wrote: “The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu has commended the Nigerian Army and other sister organizations in the state for freeing people who were abducted from the state.
“Comrade Joel said this after receiving a call that sixteen people who were kidnapped recently, including three pastors in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area, have regained their freedom, following the intervention of the police.
“According to him, men of the Nigerian Army were immediately alerted to the incident on Monday, prompting the police to chase the abductees and conduct a thorough investigation that lasted two nights before they were found in the forest.
“After shooting each other for two hours, the robbers fled for safety with various injuries, leaving the people they tortured.”
However, another source familiar with the matter, said that the statement by the Kogi Government that the soldiers had rescued the herdsmen was false. Instead, the families of the abducted pastors were forced to pay large sums of money for their release.
“It was gathered that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N20 million to free the three men of God. The senior pastor says he prayed a lot with his pastors.
“At the same time, negotiations were going on with the kidnappers because men of the Nigerian Army were also trying to find out where the kidnapper was hiding. Later, N2 million was paid for his release,” the source said.
A state-based news outlet, Holi Magik TV also revealed that “the victims were released after proper ransom negotiations with both parties”.
“It was gathered that about N2 million naira was paid to the three men of God,” the report added.
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