Bayelsa Insecurity: Gunmen Kidnap Pastor, 2 Others In Ekeremor, Bayelsa

As the spike of insecurity in Bayelsa State continues to grow following last week’s abduction of a 100 year old woman, SaharaReporters learned that Reverend Mark Christmas, a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen from his hometown.The Pastor’s wife, Mrs. Evelyn Christmas, said that her husband was kidnapped with two other people on October 18.

She said that the incident happened in their hometown, Biseingbene, Ekeremor Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa State.

Mrs. Christmas said that her husband had been invited to the community for a meeting by unknown people on the fateful day.

“When he got to the community, he found out that the invitation was not only false but a devilish plan to kidnap him,'' she said.

She said that the pastor had stayed over two weeks in their custody, as they demanded N200,000 for all their phone calls and N300 million as ransom.

“It is over two weeks and I have not heard or seen my husband but some of our family members, who live in the village, told me that they spoke with them.”

“On reporting to the police, well, I planned to contact the police, but the family members said that I should not involve the police to avoid incurring more danger.”

“The reason is that my husband might be killed by the hoodlums if the police are involved in the matter.”

“You cannot even speak with him on phone. I am worried and I am praying that my husband will come back alive,'' she said.

When contacted the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in Bayelsa State, Asinim Butswat, said the family had not reported the matter to the police.

“They have not reported the incident to us, but if they come to us, we are ready to mobilize ourselves,” Butswat said.