Gunmen Kidnap Popular Cleric, Okoriko In Akwa Ibom, Demand N100M Ransom

Suspected kidnappers have kidnapped a prominent radio and television evangelist, Apostle John Okoriko, in Akwa Ibom State.

Okoriko, the founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church (SRKC) in the community of Ibekwe Akpan Nya in the state’s Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, was abducted on Tuesday evening, April 19.

According to reports, roughly five gunmen stormed the church, which doubles as his rural residence, and carried him away to an unknown place.

ALSO READ: LASG Trains Unified Local Government Officers

According to witnesses, the gunmen entered the pastor’s property by scaling the back fence leading to a dense shrubbery, approximately ten minutes after the victim drove in with his Lexus SUV.

“After successfully scaling the fence, the gunmen began shooting intermittently and forced their way into his sitting room, where they dragged the elderly man, forcing neighbours to flee for safety,” a neighbour, Bassey Asuquo, told reporters.

He claimed that Police operatives were promptly notified and that several volunteer youths assisted the Police in combing the bushes for Pastor Okoriko, but to no avail.

According to family members who requested anonymity, the Apostle personally called the family on his phone to inform us that his abductors needed N100 million before he could regain his release.

SP Odiko Macdon, spokeswoman for the state police command, confirmed the incident in a brief statement on Wednesday.

Adding that “the Command has received a report on the incident and the Commissioner of Police Andrew (CP), Mr. Amiengheme Andrew, has ordered for a discreet investigation with a view to apprehending the suspects and to the victim unharmed.”