Kidnappers have demanded N50 million ransom for the release of eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who were abducted along Kachia road in Kaduna State on Friday night.
The victims were abducted while traveling from Kaduna to Kafanchan in Jema’a local government area of the state.
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The Public Relations Officer of the church in Kaduna, Alao Joseph, told journalists that the incident occurred around 7pm on Friday.
He added that the gunmen whisked away the members and abandoned the bus they were travelling in by the roadside.
Joseph said the abductors have contacted the regional pastor of the church and demanded N50 million.
He said the church had also contacted security agencies over the incident with the hope that they will rescue the victim.
The bus has been recovered. Joseph said during recovery, they also sighted another vehicle within the premises, leading them to speculate that the occupants of the vehicle had equally been kidnapped.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Command through the Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the abduction but said the command was working closely with the leadership of the church to ascertain the exact number of people abducted.
ASP Jalige said the police had sighted the bus by the roadside and was about to tow it into police custody when the church said it had an extra key and would move the vehicle to its own custody.
He said the police has launched a manhunt with a view to arresting the criminals and rescuing the victims alive.