ECWA Reverend Kidnapped By Herdsmen Released After N2.5m Ransom

The Christian Education Director of the Evangelical Church Winning All (International), Rev. Jen Moses, who was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen, has been released.

He was said to have been reunited with his family and church members on Tuesday after the payment of N2.5m ransom.

The victim was said to have been admitted to a hospital for injuries he sustained after his abductors beat him up

PUNCH Metro learnt from a church member and friend of the victim, Nathaniel Ogedengbe, that the kidnappers became furious after the breakdown of negotiation on the initial N100m ransom demanded, and resorted to beating their victim with rocks and stones.

He said, “Reverend Moses was lucky. Eventually, we paid N2.5m. The Fulani herdsmen instructed us where to take the money to. They collected the money before the process of his release commenced. The people who collected the money were different from those who released him.

“The kidnappers just told him to start trekking and he trekked for a very long distance before he got to the main road. The person who collected the cash had to confirm to his colleagues that the money was with him.”

When contacted, the General Secretary of ECWA, Yunusa Nmadu, confirmed the release of Moses, saying he was seriously injured by the bandits.

He said, “Rev. Ven. Moses was released around 10pm on Tuesday. He was picked by a team put together by our church and his wife almost at the same spot that he was kidnapped. He was thoroughly beaten because they wanted to compel him to give them money which, they think, he had.

“The abductors even used rocks and stones on him because they believed that he had money and his people were not just releasing the money. They believed that if they beat him enough, he would disclose where he kept the money. Unfortunately, there was no money anywhere. We thank God that he is in good health.”

PUNCH Metro had reported that the ECWA director was kidnapped last Friday between Jere and Bwari on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, while on an official meeting.

During the incident, his driver was shot, while the kidnappers placed a call to the church and family members, demanding N100m ransom.

Nmadu had said the kidnappers were seven Fulani boys, adding that they were all below 20 years of age.

PUNCH

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