The Evangelical Church Winning All has confirmed the abduction of a retired pastor, Sunday Agang, in Jos, Plateau State.
The church’s Public Relations Officer, Dickson Auta, confirmed the incident in an interview with Metro in Jos on Tuesday.
“Yes, it’s true. We received a report of the abduction. I am currently preparing an official statement which will be released shortly,” Auta said.
A source close to the family told our correspondent that the cleric was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday by about six armed men who invaded his residence in the Farin-Gada area of Jos North Local Government Area.
According to the source, the attackers stormed the house around 5:00 a.m. while the family was asleep, forced their way in and held members of the household hostage before whisking the retired pastor away at gunpoint to an unknown destination.
“Before the family could raise the alarm, the kidnappers had fled with him in a vehicle,” the source added.
Another source within the church said the incident had been reported to security agencies, adding that efforts were ongoing to trace the kidnappers.
As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had yet to establish contact with the family or the church for ransom.
In a statement issued later on Tuesday, ECWA decried the rising spate of attacks on its clergy and members, particularly in Kwara and Plateau states.
The statement, titled, “ECWA Confirms Attacks on Congregation and Abduction of Pastor, Calls for Calm and Prayer,” and signed by Auta, disclosed that several other incidents had recently occurred.
It noted that earlier in the week, armed bandits attacked a church service at Oke Oro Local Church Council of Oro Ago District Church Council in Kwara State, abducting eight worshippers and injuring several others, while also carting away phones and valuables.
The statement also referenced the abduction of another cleric, Rev. Sunday Bobai Agang, in a separate incident.
“ECWA leadership has acknowledged receipt of reports on these incidents and is actively engaging with the situation. The church calls on the public to remain calm and prayerful,” the statement read.
“The church is calling on everyone to remain calm but prayerful, trusting that God will intervene.”
It added that further updates would be provided as developments unfold.