Gunmen who abducted two clerics who had gone to carry out church duties last Sunday, in Rivers State have requested the sum of N25 million from the church before the clerics can regain their freedom.
The clerics, Rev. J. B. Lawson and Rev. Isobo Dokubo of the African Church, according to sources were ambushed and kidnapped along Kalabari-Emohua Road while returning from a church programme in Degema Local Government Area of the state.
They were returning from their base in Port Harcourt, the state capital when the incident occurred, and have since been held by the kidnappers, who contacted the church for the ransom.
The Archbishop of the African Church, Rivers Province, Rev Dokiboeria Kaladokubo, who confirmed the demand of the kidnappers, said the kidnappers were indeed demanding N25 million for the release.
He said the abduction came as a shock, but that the church was praying that they regain their freedom and continue their work in the vineyard of God.
The spokesman of the Rivers State police command, Ahmad Mohammad, who confirmed the abduction, said that the police were working to ensure their release, stressing that the command was not taking the matter lightly.
“I am aware of the abduction of the clerics. As you know, when an incident like this occurs, the police hardly go to sleep. We are working to ensure that they regain their freedom,” he said.
