BANDITS have kidnapped the Pastor of Kaduna Baptist Church, Danazunmi close to Grigori, Reverend Genesis Zaka and three female church members close to Grigori in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The kidnapped female’s names were given as Tabitha Luka, Liatu Nuhu and Rahila Luka.
It was learned that the pastor and the female church members were kidnapped by the bandits during the morning Sunday service.
An eyewitness who narrated how the incident occurred told our correspondent that during the service the bandits came in large numbers riding on motorcycles and surrounded the church for an operation.
He said a stampede occurred with many of the worshipers running for their dear lives.
It was during the pandemonium that the pastor and the three female church members were kidnapped and taken into hiding.
The source said that on Monday the bandits contacted the church secretary asking for an N30m ransom before those kidnapped will be released. The church reportedly pleaded that they could only raise N40,000 which the bandits reportedly rejected but promise to get back to the church.
When contacted an official of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in Rafi Local Government Area who did not want his name in print confirmed the story saying he has informed both the Rafi local government council chairmen, the Divisional Police Officer and the state chairman of CAN about the development.
When asked what efforts they were making to secure the release of the victims he said: “We have started praying and fasting God will touch the heart of their kidnappers to release them”
Efforts to get police confirmation was abortive just as the state chairman of CAN could not be reached for comment.
It could be recalled that two weeks ago the affected area came under bandit attacks leading to the killing of three people among them a woman and her daughter and kidnapped of 8 others.
The bandits were said to have collected Jerry cans of petrol valued at N80,000 as ransom.
