Some gunmen on Tuesday night stormed the residence of the Bishop of the Ahoada Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Clement Ekpeye, and took him away to an unknown destination.
It was gathered that the gunmen, who forced themselves into the cleric’s compound, went straight for their target.
The incident, according to a source in the area, happened around 8.45pm at the Bishop’s Court located on Odiemerenyi Road in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was learnt that the intruders did not take long in bringing out the cleric and ordered him into a waiting vehicle before driving away.
The Clerical Synod Secretary of the Diocese of Ahoada, who condemned the development, described it as shocking.
Appealing to the kidnappers to release Ekpeye unconditionally, the synod secretary called for prayers for the safety of the bishop.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the abduction of the cleric and added that investigation aimed at ensuring that Ekpeye regain his freedom had begun.
Meanwhile, another set of gunmen on Wednesday killed the assistant pastor of the Christ Holy Church in Onitsha, Anambra State, Justice Njigbo.
Njigbo, was reportedly attacked by three gunmen on the church premises around 4am.
His assailants reportedly scaled the fence of the church and made away with valuables after killing the cleric.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Command, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident.
He said the corpse of the deceased had been deposited in a morgue after the cleric was confirmed dead by a doctor.
Mohammed said, “Three unknown men, around 4am, scaled the fence of the Christ Holy Church located at No. 30 Orumba Street, Okpoko, and forcefully entered into the room of the assistant pastor, one Justice Nonso Njigbo, aged 26 years.
“They inflicted a deep machete cut on his forehead, shot and injured him on the left thigh, and made away with the phones of the occupants of the church building.
“Police detectives attached to the Okpoko Division visited the scene and rushed the victim to the St. Charles Boromeo Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
“The corpse has been deposited in the same hospital’s morgue for autopsy, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend the assailants and bring them to justice.”