Gunmen abduct 2 pastors in Nigeria, demands ransom from families, church members

Two Nigerian pastors were kidnapped in January, while one pastor was injured in Kogi state.

The kidnapping cartels, who have previously abducted businessmen, high-profile personalities, and government leaders since 2013, have shifted their attention to religious and Christian leaders.

According to a report by Morning Star News, gunmen kidnapped Pastor David Onubedo of Deeper Life Bible Church on the night of Jan. 25 in Okene right after a Bible study.

A church member said that Onubedo visited his hometown, and was going home after a Bible study when gunmen kidnapped him at around 9pm local time.

A similar incident occurred with another pastor, Ayo Raphael, who was abducted during the Sunday worship service on Jan. 10. Gunmen reportedly disrupted the service at Redeemed Christian Church of God and fired gunshots.

"The gunmen attacked the church while Pastor Ayo was preaching," one member said. "They ordered us to lie down and close our eyes as they shot into the air and dragged our pastor away at gunpoint." 

The group responsible for the abduction of both pastors have reportedly asked for a ransom money of 50 million naira or about $249,000 for their release. The group has already contacted the families and church members of the two pastors.

Meanwhile, gunmen injured Rev. Obata Ezekiel while he was delivering a sermon at an Anglican church in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria.

"Our parish priest, the Rev. Obata, is currently in the hospital where he's being treated for bullet wounds," a member of the church reported.

The gunmen also abducted a member of the congregation, this time an engineer, Dunkan Eke.

Asinim Butswat of the Bayelsa State Police Command said that are doing their best to track down the gunmen and rescue the two kidnapped pastors and one parish church member.