Cross River State Police command has confirmed the unfortunate kidnap of the General Overseer of the Bible Christian Crusade Mission (BCCM), Pastor Joseph Okoro in his church premises on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2108.

He was abducted in his own car, from the church premises located at 55, Webber Street, by Elijah Henshaw in Calabar South, immediately after the evening service.

The kidnappers reportedly disguised as church members and waited until the church programme was over before going for the pastor.

According to Guardian, church members who witnessed the incident said efforts were made by members to stop the kidnappers but were asked by the pastor not to fight as the kidnappers pulled out guns.

An eyewitness, who narrated the incident, said:

“They came in as members. After the programme, the pastor went to his office, and as he was about to leave and move to his car to go home, the kidnappers approached him.

“Some people tried to struggle with them but they brought out guns and threatened to shoot anyone who interfered. They told everybody to lie down. The pastor asked the people not to struggle, that he would go with them.”

One of the worshipers, Peter Eze, said: “Calabar is no longer safe, how can kidnappers come to a church to abduct a pastor? We are not safe; the government should do something about the insecurity. Cars are stolen everyday; we are in trouble even in the house of God. May God help us.”

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the kidnap, saying “the Anti-Kidnapping unit of the police is working on it”