Were among at least 20 people kidnapped in December
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(CHRISTIAN POST) – Two pastors kidnapped along with others in Nigeria last month remain captive despite their denomination paying 11 million naira (US$12,264) for their release, church officials said.
The Rev. Elkanah Ayuba and the Rev. Simon Ezra, both of the United Methodist Church (UMC), were among at least 20 people kidnapped on Dec. 19 from Pupule Town, Yorro County in Taraba state, according to the Rev. Micah Dopa, president of the Southern Conference of the UMC.
“As a Body of Christ, we mobilized and paid 11 million naira for our members to be released, but the terrorists decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody,” Pastor Dopa said in a Jan. 4 statement. “Going by the video clip circulating in the media and the action of the terrorists, it is clear to say that the terrorists’ activities are a plot to erase Christians in the area.”
“As a Body of Christ, we mobilized and paid 11 million naira for our members to be released, but the terrorists decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody,” Pastor Dopa said in a Jan. 4 statement. “Going by the video clip circulating in the media and the action of the terrorists, it is clear to say that the terrorists’ activities are a plot to erase Christians in the area.”
The two pastors and 14 members of the UMC remain in captivity, he said. The kidnappers on Dec. 23 also abducted another UMC member, Dimas Ishaya, along with others from Dila village. On Dec. 26, they kidnapped UMC member Fidelis Daniel from his residence along with others from the Gongong Malik market in Gongon village, including the pastor of UMC Kasakuri and other church members, he said.