The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two family members of Simon Akpams, the accountant of Living Faith Church also known as Winners’ Chapel in Rantya, Jos.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Terna Tyopev,
told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the abduction was
reported at the Rantya Police Division in Jos. He confirmed that the
kidnappers had demanded ransom but did not disclose the amount.
Tyopev said that investigation had commenced into the incident.
However, Akpams in a telephone interview told NAN that the kidnappers
had demanded N10 million from him. He said that he was abducted
alongside his wife, Funmilayo and their three-year-old child at about 8
p.m. on February 7.
The accountant said the family members were abducted at the gate into
their premises as they returned from the mid-week service of the church
which usually lasted until after 7 p.m. He said they were about
opening the gate into their compound located around the Federal Low-Cost
Housing Estate in Rantya when the kidnappers seized them. Akpams said
that the kidnappers changed their mind about taking him with them and
dropped off him to source the ransom money.
He said that the abductors had been calling him on phone to collect
the ransom but that he had nothing to give. The abduction was announced
to members of the church during the Covenant Hour Prayer earlier on
Thursday. The church members have been praying vehemently for the
release of the two abducted family members.