Armed gunmen kidnap Bible Christian Crusade Mission general overseer in Calabar

PASTOR Joseph Okoro the general overseer of the Bible Christian Crusade Mission (BCCM) in Calabar has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen and whisked away in what is thought to be another abduction for ransom case.

Yesterday evening at about 8.45pm, five armed men swooped on the church premises located at 55 Webber Street, Calabar on the Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. One eyewitness, said that the gunmen invaded the church and whisked its founder away in his own vehicle away.

He added: “The ugly incident occurred just after church service on Wednesday when the general overseer wanted to leave the premises and gunmen numbering about five accosted him and took him away. The service had ended as usual on Wednesday and a lot of people had left the church except for some few workers and pastor’s protocol people.

“When he was about leaving gun men numbering about five entered the premises and forced him into his vehicle They came in as members but after the programme, he went to his office, and as he was about to leave and go to his car and go home, the kidnappers approached him."

According to the eyewitness, some people tried to struggle with them but the armed men brought out guns and threatened to shoot anyone who interfered. He added that they then told everybody to lie down and the pastor asked the people not to struggle, saying that he will go with them.

Cross Rover State Police Command spokesperson Irene Ugbo, said that all the units have been alerted both on land and water. She added that the anti-kidnapping unit of the police is working on it with a view to ensuring the safe return of the pastor.