Abductors of Uyo-based cleric, John Okoriko, demand N100m ransom

Ini Billie, Uyo

Abductors of Founder and President of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko, have contacted his family and demanded a ransom of N100m from them.

Okoriko was kidnapped last night around the premises of his church at Ibekwe Akpan Nya in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

An eyewitness said the gunmen invaded the residence of the pastor located on the church premises by jumping through the fence and forcing their way into his living room.

According to the source, the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately to scare away people, and dragged the octogenarian pastor outside into the nearby bush, where they escaped with the victim to an unknown destination.

The source said the police were immediately contacted as some youths joined the police to comb the bush, but searched in vain for the man of God, who was nowhere to be found.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, said the abduction happened on Tuesday, April 19, at about 5 pm at the church residence in Mkpat Enin.

“We have received the report and the CP has ordered for an investigation to commence. As I speak, a lot has been done already, I want to believe that we will get to the root of it in no distance time,” he said.

Macdon who stated that a crime has been committed said the police command is working assiduously to unravel the crime and bring the perpetrators to book.