False Kogi Government Army Rescue Claim: N2Million Ransom Payment Frees Three Kidnapped Pastors – Source
A startling discovery has surfaced that challenges the Kogi State Government’s assertion that the Nigerian Army saved three pastors who had been kidnapped in the state.
A trustworthy source claims that the pastors were freed by the gunmen following the payment of N2 million in ransom.
According to the Bureau Newspaper, the pastors were kidnapped at Ejule in Kogi State’s Ofu Local Government Area by gunmen who were thought to be kidnappers.
They were ministering at a crusade in the town when the incident happened.
On Monday, January 20, 2025, at approximately 11 p.m., the pastors were returning from the crusade site when the terrorists ambushed them along Ejule-Ofakaga-Anyigba Road.
Evangelist Sunday Oguche, President of God’s Care Missions, Okpo, held the three-day crusade-themed “Ejule Gospel Crusade,” where one of the kidnapped pastors, identified as Evangelist Gabriel Onaji, served as a guest minister.
Later, their car was discovered abandoned on the Ejule-Anyigba Road in the community of Ofakaga.
According to a local who was at the crusade and knows one of the pastors who was kidnapped, the kidnappers reportedly demanded a N20 million ransom to free them.
The Nigerian Army and other security personnel rescued these pastors and other victims, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Unubi Emmanuel, the State Deputy Governor’s press secretary.
According to the government, no ransom was paid to release the victims from their captors’ possession.
Emmanuel wrote: “Comrade Joel Salifu, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, has commended the bravery of Nigeria Army men and other sister agencies in the state for the safe release of the state’s kidnapping victims.”
When he received a call informing him that sixteen victims of a recent kidnapping incident—including three pastors in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area—had been liberated as a result of security personnel’s intervention, Comrade Joel made the announcement.
He claims that the Nigerian army’s forces were informed as soon as the dastard deed was executed on Monday. As a result, the security personnel pursued the kidnappers for two nights before finding them in a forest.
“The abductors fled with their victims in tow, suffering from varying degrees of injuries following a two-hour gunfight.”
But a person with knowledge of the matter told Sahara Reporters that the Kogi State Government’s claim that the pastors were saved by the army was completely untrue. Rather, a large ransom was demanded from the families of the pastors who had been kidnapped in order to ensure their release.
It was learned that in order to free the three men of God, the kidnappers had wanted a ransom of N20 million. It was reported that the senior pastor and his pastors had a serious prayer session.
While the Nigerian Army troops were working tirelessly to find the kidnapper’s hiding place, negotiations with the kidnappers were also taking place. N2 million was ultimately given to ensure their release, according to the source.
“The victims were released after a suitable negotiation of the ransom was arrived at by both parties,” according to Holi Magik TV, a state-based news outlet.
The report also stated, “It was gathered that the three men of God were paid approximately N2 million naira.”