Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have abducted Oluwatosin Alayo, the Shepherd of Celestial Church of Christ, Nazareth Parish 1, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The incident was said to have occurred on Monday evening at the residence of the cleric in the Adamo area of the community.
Sources privy to the incident told PUNCH Metro on Thursday that the incident occurred barely 24 hours after the church held its annual adult harvest.
A member of the church who craved anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident told PUNCH Metro, “We called to congratulate him (the cleric) on the success of the church harvest on Monday evening but could not reach him on the phone. It was the following morning that another member of the church informed us that his home was attacked on Monday evening by some gunmen who took him away to an unknown destination. We are in serious panic and we have also intensified prayers for his safety and freedom.”
Another member of the church who identified himself simply as Taiwo, told our correspondent that the abductors had opened communication with the family of the victim, demanding a ransom of N30m.
“Details of the communication are still unclear, but we got to know that 24 hours after the incident, the kidnappers confirmed the Shepherd’s presence in their captivity and also demanded a ransom of N30m. That is all we know for now,” he added.
Meanwhile, the church has raised the alarm on its various social media platforms, while also calling for prayers.
“A CCC Shephard has been kidnapped and now they’re demanding N30m as ransom. Your prayer is highly needed,” one of the posts read.
“Kidnapping notice: Snr. Evang. Adeyemi Oluwatosin Alayo, Shepherd in charge of CCC Nazareth Parish, Adamo Agunfoye, was kidnapped on Monday, a day after his 21st Adult harvest. Kidnappers are demanding N30m. Please, let’s remember him and his parish in prayers,” another post read.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. He however denied knowledge of the ransom demanded.
“I can confirm that he was kidnapped. I cannot confirm the ransom demand.”
