Gunmen attack Celestial Church, abduct two members in Ogun

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

Some gunmen on Monday night reportedly attacked the Celestial Church of Christ, Oshofa Parish at Wasimi, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State and abducted two members.

Assistant Shepherd of the parish, Oluwaseun Ajose and a Sunday school teacher identified as Dagunro Ayobami were the victims of the abduction.

The two worshippers were reportedly dragged away by their abductors around midnight.

The Shepherd of the church, Oluwatomisin Ehuwaojomo, confirmed the incident in the church premises during a visit by the Wasinmi Council of Chiefs lead by Hon. Sunday Toriola.

According to Ehuwaojomo, the abductors called him and demanded a ransom of N50 million for the release of the two church workers.

The Shepherd, while saying the incident was extremely unexpected, sought the support of the police and other security agencies in rescuing the victims.

He said that he was not in the church when the incident happened, adding that he went to bed around 10 minutes past 11pm in his room at the time.

“When my Assistant Shepherd called me almost two hours after they left, the kidnappers refused to speak with me twice. But on his third attempt, they spoke with me and demanded N50 million ransom.

“I told them that I am a servant of God, nobody pays me a salary. I have spoken with the Ogun State Commissioner of Police. The command is on the matter,” he said.

Ogun State Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident, promising to revert.

It would be recalled that the state police command had on several occasions warned religious organisations against organising night programmes.

Where such night services become extremely expedient, Oyeyemi advised that requests for police protection be sought by the organisers.

This, he said, would stop the abduction of worshippers during vigils and other night programmes.