Police operatives have arrested a 52-year-old pastor, Adetokumbo Adenopo, and three others over alleged kidnapping.
Adenopo, Founder and General Overseer of New Life Ministry, Lukosi, in Sagamu area of Ogun State, was apprehended alongside 22-year-old Chigozie Williams, a native of Umuahia North, Abia State, 30-year-old Ugoji Linus, a native of Ezinifite in Imo State and 27-year-old Emmanuel Chris Ani, a native of Aniri in Enugu State.
Police authorities said the gang were out of luck after a kidnap-for-ransom stint of one Jonathan Ekpo, a 35-year-old man from Benue State.
The victim, an employee of a logistic company, was said to have been kidnapped on July 17, 2020, while on official duty to deliver goods in Sagamu.
He was later kept in an underground cabin inside the pastor’s church building in Ogijo town, Ogun State, and a sum of twenty million naira ransom was demanded before he was rescued unhurt nine days later by the police.
The pastor reportedly told the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police Force after he was captured that he embarked on the crime for the expansion of his church and charity works.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.