Gunmen

Six worshippers were abducted, and a pastor was shot after armed men attacked Elyon Paradise Ministry Church in Asagba Ogwashi, Delta State, during a Friday night vigil.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the attackers shot the pastor, Apostle Divine Omodia, and cut off two of his fingers before taking six congregants to an unknown location.

“The pastor was rushed to the hospital, where doctors are battling to save his life. Since the attack, the kidnappers have not contacted anyone for ransom.

“Till today (Sunday), the kidnappers have not called to demand a ranson for the release of the abducted victims since the incident occurred,” a source told Punch.

Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said a rescue team is actively searching for the victims in the surrounding bush.

Gunmen have abducted a cleric, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, on Ise Akoko/Iboropa Road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Olowolagba attached to the Akoko Anglican Diocese was reportedly kidnapped by the gunmen alongside his wife and two children while travelling along the road last Sunday.

Daily Trust reports that one of the children identified as Goodness was said to be a fresh student at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA) and was on Christmas holiday.

Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Babajide Bada, confirmed the incident to journalists in Akure, on Saturday.

Bada said the cleric and his family members were travelling from Ipesi through Isua Akoko when the gunmen waylaid their vehicle before marching them into the bush.

“The unfortunate incident happened last week [Sunday] between 4pm and 5:30pm. He (Olowolagba) was travelling from Ipesi with his wife, Mrs Olowolagba, and their 16-year-old daughter, Goodness Olowolagba, a 100-level student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba- Akoko (AAUA), who came for a holiday at home, and a nine-year-old girl staying with them, identified as Idowu.

“They drove from Ipesi through Isua Akoko, and when they got to between Isua and Ise-Akoko, they were kidnapped. And we did not know, until the following morning, when their members discovered that they didn’t get to Ikaram, where they were going.

“Since then, those who kidnapped them have been calling. They called to ask for a ransom. The kidnappers had insisted on a N75 million before they could set free the victims.”

The cleric said that the matter had been reported to the state security outfit codenamed Amotekun.
“Amotekun is working because we have reported the matter at the Amotekun office in Akure, and they have started work to secure the release of the victims.

Four Nigerian soldiers have been reportedly killed by gunmen at Obikabia junction in Ogbor Hill, Aba, this morning.

According to video reports posted on soldiers by a resident, the soldiers were ambushed, resulting in a deadly attack on a day the southeast is mourning the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Biafra War of 1967-1970.

The incident occurred around 8:00 am this morning, with initial information indicating that the ambush led to the loss of lives.

The identities of the assailants remain unknown at this time, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Nigerian Army has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack, and details are still emerging.

The Indigenous People of Biafra had earlier declared May 30 as a sit-at-home day to honour the memories of the fallen heroes and heroines during the war.

Despite threats from southeast governors for residents not to obey the order, there has been total compliance across the region.

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