Kidnappers Threaten to Kill Members of the Celestial Church of Christ if N10m Ransom Isn’t Paid by Monday

Kidnappers have vowed to kill six members of the Celestial Church of Christ, Jordan Parish, in Uso, Owo, Ondo State, if ₦10 million is not paid by 1PM on Monday

The victims were abducted last week, on Wednesday, during an early morning prayer service.

Sources who spoke to Sahara Reporters said that the assailants warned the Church and the victims’ families that all the abducted members would be killed if the ransom is not paid.

“The kidnappers have given a deadline of 1pm on Monday for the payment of the ₦10 million demanded as ransom. They are threatening that if the money is not received by then, they will kill all those they have abducted,” a source said.

It was also reported that the church pastor sold his car and other properties to raise the ransom, while members of the Uso community pooled their resources to help.

“Also, security operatives have failed to help the efforts; they have not shown any form of concern, not even the DSS as of now,” the source said.

Family sources noted that although the ₦10 million demanded by the kidnappers has been raised, there is no security presence, and those familiar with the situation remain uncertain about how to safely deliver the money or what actions security agencies might take.

“As of now, there is high tension. Instead of the government to act, they are busy blaming the people, asking what a pregnant woman was doing in the church. They are also telling the media that they rescued one of the victims, which is a lie. In fact, the person who escaped did so on his own,” the source said.

“Except for the time the police authorities came to the location after the abduction became public, they have not come again nor contacted the church or community. Anything you see online that is contrary to this is a pure lie and propaganda,” another source privy to the development told SaharaReporters.

The kidnappers have also threatened to return to the scene of the abduction to carry out another round of kidnappings, specifically warning that the church pastor could be targeted next.

“They (kidnappers) are threatening to return and take more people, yet there has been no action from the government regarding these threats. They are even saying specifically that they would come back for the pastor, and this is causing a lot of tension in the church.

“Even the ransom, if the pastor attempts to deliver it, they will detain him, and the situation will be worse,” one of the sources said.

“We are appealing for government intervention. The situation is getting out of hand, and lives are at stake. Yet, the government has refused to acknowledge that what’s on the ground is dangerous,” the source added.