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Threat To Rescue Kogi State Army: N2Million Frees 3 Abducted Pastors – Source
A shocking discovery has been made that contradicts the Kogi State government’s claim that the Nigerian Army rescued three herdsmen who were abducted from the state.
A reliable source said that the herdsmen were released by the terrorists following a ransom of N2 million.
According to Bureau News reports, the pastors were abducted from Ejule in Ofu district of Kogi state by suspected robbers.
They were serving at a town meeting when the incident happened.
On Monday, January 20, 2025, at around 11 o’clock in the afternoon, the herdsmen were returning from the scene of hostilities when the terrorists ambushed them on the Ejule-Ofakaga-Anyigba road.
Evangelist Sunday Oguche, President of God’s Care Missions, Okpo, held a three-day “Ejule Gospel Crusade,” where one of the abducted pastors, identified as Evangelist Gabriel Onaji, served as guest minister.
Later, their car was found abandoned on the Ejule-Anyigba road in Ofakaga area.
According to a local who was at the meeting and knows one of the abducted pastors, the abductors said they wanted N20 million for his release.
Nigerian soldiers and other security personnel rescued the herdsmen and other victims, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Unubi Emmanuel, the press secretary of the Deputy Governor.
According to the government, no ransom was paid to release the people they held captive.
Emmanuel wrote: “Comrade Joel Salifu, the deputy governor of Kogi state, has commended the bravery of the men of the Nigerian Army and other sister organizations in the state to free the abductees from the state.
After receiving a call informing him that sixteen people who were kidnapped recently — including three pastors in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area — have been released thanks to the intervention of the security forces, Comrade Joel announced.
He says the Nigerian military was informed shortly after the killing on Monday. As a result, the police chased the kidnappers for two nights before finding them in the forest.
“The kidnappers fled with their pursuers, sustaining various injuries after a two-hour gunfight.”
But a person familiar with the matter told Sahara Reporters that what the Kogi State government said that the herdsmen were rescued by the army, was not true. Instead, a large ransom was demanded from the families of the abducted pastors to secure their release.
It was learned that in order to free the three men of God, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N20 million. It was heard that the senior pastor and his pastors prayed deeply.
While the Nigerian military was working hard to locate the kidnapper’s hideout, negotiations with the kidnappers were also taking place. N2 million was eventually paid for the down payment, according to the source.
“The victims were released after a reasonable negotiation about the ransom with all of them,” according to Holi Magik TV, a state broadcaster.
The report also said, “It was gathered that the three men of God were paid about N2 million naira.”
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