17th June, 2015
Daniels Ekugo
Kidnappers of the Senior Resident Pastor of the Living Faith Church, a.k.a. Winners Chapel situated along IBB Way, opposite the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, southern Nigeria, Mr. Seyi Adekunle, have demanded a ransom of N60 million for his release.
According to reports, the kidnappers have contacted the church and demanded for the N60 million.
Adekunle was on Saturday kidnapped by five unidentified gunmen who stormed the church premises at about 7:30pm during prayers.
The Cross River State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, had on Monday warned that those who abducted Adekunle would incur the wrath of God if they failed to release him.
The warning came through a statement issued by the state Chairman of PFN, Pastor Lawrence Ekwok, and the Secretary, Apostle Frank Umo.
Insisting that Pastor Adekunle be released immediately and unconditionally, the PFN said: “The wrath of God is upon you for that act, this is more so as the pastor was kidnapped at the time he and others were praying and seeking the face of God for the good of the people of the state and country at large.”
PFN prayed that security agencies would intensify efforts at securing the release and safe return of Adekunle.
The Cross River State Police Command has already launched a manhunt for the five gunmen who allegedly abducted Pastor Adekunle.
According to the police, the pastor was abducted inside the church at about 7.30 p.m. during a prayer session. The gunmen, it was gathered, fired into the air to scare everyone around before entering the church.
The pastor was allegedly pushed into the car brought by the men and taken to an unknown destination.
P.M.NEWS gathered that Pastor Adekunle is the head pastor of Province Two of the church. Works have been ongoing in the church since 2014 when the pastor joined the branch of the church.
A member of the church who declined to identify himself for fear of police harassment disclosed that the pastor was holding a prayer sesson with members of the congregation when the gunmen burst in and started demanding for money.
When told that there was no money in the church, the suspects got angry and took the pastor away.
A police source revealed that the suspects got information that the pastor was keeping a huge amount of money meant for the construction of the church and decided to abduct him to get the money as ransom for his release.
Investigations revealed further that the church held its last Sunday service with Pastor Adekunle’s assistant in charge. There was tight security provided by policemen around the premises during the service.
Spokesman of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Hogan Bassey, confirmed the incident.