FIVE ‘REDEEMED CHURCH PASTORS’ KIDNAPPED, SIGHTED IN FOREST

The kidnapped ‘clergymen’ as at the time of filing this report were sighted in a forest within the vicinity of the incident, following intensive aerial surveillance by the police, but exhibiting  caution, so as not to put their lives in danger

Penpushing further reports that, another source said the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch  Adeboye  confirmed  those affected when he  broke the news while speaking to some of his Pastors.

However, the police spokesman while speaking with journalists on the development said those involved were abducted in a commercial bus contrary to rumour that, they were kidnapped while traveling in their car.

“Information at our disposal indicates that some people were traveling in a commercial bus from the East and at a particular spot some armed criminals came from the bush, forced the driver to stop and later abducted five of the passengers’.

Penpushing also reports that, he said  the Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama at the time he was speaking had led a strong police operation team to the crime scene to rescue the victims, adding that “by the grace of God, we will rescue the victims”,

 “Through surveillance we have got to know their location but we don’t want to attack them (kidnappers) so that we won’t put the victims’ lives in danger. Their lives are more important to us”,Oyeyemi said

Penpushing recalled that, last week Saturday, the Police Command succeeded in rescuing seven kidnapped victims from their abductors on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while recently President Muhammadu Buhari called on the South-West Traditional Rulers to join his administration in fighting crimes and criminals in the zone.

The President  made the appeal on Wednesday when he played host to traditional rulers, with major point of discussion at the meeting as the security situation in Nigeria  expressing optimism that, with them, ‘we will be able to overcome such difficulties and all our problems, and set our country on the path of peace and prosperity’

 ‘These consultations are important because traditional rulers form a critical part of governance structures, especially in their respective communities, where they feel the pulse of the people being the closest to the populace at the grassroots level’.

‘ As a government, at all times, we need your active collaboration as we continue to deal with crimes of kidnapping, banditry and other forms of unlawful and criminal attacks resulting in needless deaths and causing fear among our people’, Buhari begged. .

‘On these bases and more, I have decided to meet with Your Highnesses to assure you that this administration is doing everything to ensure that the insecurity that we see and hear today are tackled and defeated’.

‘As you are well aware, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has already begun these consultations with some Obas and I have been receiving feedback and observations. I also want to acknowledge other correspondences from you’.

‘Our Royal Fathers, noting your concerns, and highlighting lines of action useful in our overall effort to maintain law and order. Let me state that we do welcome every such expressions of concern from all of our people, and the expectations that come with them.

‘I want to consult with you our royal fathers, so that together we can proffer solutions to the lingering security problems in the South-West and other parts of the country. We are indeed aware there are significant security concerns in the South-West.

‘There are some who might want to cause instability and difficulties, but we are very confident that God willing and working together as a nation, we will be able to overcome such difficulties and all our problems, and set our country on the path of peace and prosperity’.