BREAKING: Gunmen Kidnap Popular Nigerian Renowned Cleric, Demand N100m

The Founder and President of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko, has been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen, and N100 million ransom has been demanded for his release.

The incident, according to sources, took place in the church premises at Ibekwe Akpan Nya in Mkpat Enin local government area , Akwa Ibom state, on Tuesday evening, April 20th.

An eyewitness who spoke in Mkpat Enin, stated that unknown gunmen invaded the residence of the pastor located in the church premises, shooting sporadically to scare people around as they jumped in through the fence, forced their way into the living room and whisked away the cleric.

He disclosed that Okoriko was dragged into the nearby bush, where his abductors escaped with the victim to an unknown destination.

Narrating the incident amidst tears, he said the police was contacted immediately and some youths joined the police to comb the bush in search of the man of God all to no avail.

He explained that the incident which occurred at about 5pm, has thrown the church and entire Ibekwe community into panic as the whereabouts of the pastor is yet to be established.

It was gathered that almost all the branches of the church held prayer sessions to pray for the man of God to regain his freedom.

However, reports emerged Wednesday morning, that the abductors of Okoriko established contact with the family of their victim, demanding a N100 million ransom for his release.

VAM News reports that kidnappers have laid siege to Ekparakwa in Oruk Anam local government and neighbouring villages in Mkpat Enin council area, where over 15 persons have been abducted for ransom in recent times.

It is also gathered that those who could not afford the ransom were gruesomely killed as decomposing bodies were found in farmlands within Ekparakwa and Mkpat Enin axis.

A Medical Doctor was also kidnapped, while operating on a patient in the theatre at Health Care centre near Ikot Ekpaw last month, and had regained freedom after an undisclosed amount of money was paid as ransom.

Confirming the abduction of Dr John Okoriko, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Odiko Macdon, disclosed that the abduction happened on Tuesday, April 19, at about 5 pm at his church residence in Mkpat Enin LGA of the state.

“We have received the report and the CP has ordered for an investigation to commence.

“As I speak, a lot has been done already, I want to believe that we will get to the root of it in no distant time”, Macdon said.

Macdon explained that many incidents of such crime have been reported in that vicinity, saying that the police command has been working assiduously to unravel their hideouts and bring perpetrators to book.