Kidnappers demand N30.2m to release abducted RCCG pastor

Gunmen yesterday abducted Mr. Mark Christmas, a pastor of the New Anointing Chapel of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

It was learnt that Christmas was kidnapped with two of his church members at his hometown in Biseingbene community, Ekeremor Local Government Area.

His wife, Evelyn, said the pastor was lured to the community under the guise of an emergency meeting.

She said the abductors, who seized her husband on October 18, posed as his kinsmen.

Mrs Christmas said: “You know we reside in Yenagoa. On that fateful day, my husband was invited to Biseingbene for a meeting by the abductors.



“When he got to the community, he found out that the invitation for a meeting was false and a devillish plan to kidnap him. My husband has spent over two weeks with them.”

It was gathered that the kidnappers had contacted the pastor’s family, demanding N30 million ransom to free him.

They were said to have also requested N200,000 as the cost of their phone calls to the family.

Mrs. Christmas said: “It is over two weeks and I have not heard from or seen my husband. But some of our relatives, who live in the village, told me they spoke with him.

“I planned to contact the police but the family said I should not involve the police to avoid incurring the wrath of the kidnappers. The reason is that my husband might be killed by the hoodlums, if the police were involved. It is very painful; one’s husband snatched away for two weeks…”

Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the family had not reported the matter to the command.

He said: “They have not reported the incident to us. But if they come to us, we are ready to mobilise.”