Gunmen kidnap Rivers Anglican bishop, kill Anambra pastor

Gunmen

The bishop of Ahoada Anglican Diocese in Rivers State Clement Ekpeye was on Tuesday night abducted by gunmen at his residence.

The gunmen who forced themselves into the cleric’s compound went straight for their target, reports say.

A source in the area said that the incident happened around 8.45pm at the Bishop’s Court located on Odiemerenyi Road in Ahoada East local government area.

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.

Clerical synod secretary of Ahoada Diocese condemned the incident, describing it as shocking.

The synod secretary called for prayers for the bishop’s safety and for his unconditional release.

Rivers police spokesperson Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the cleric’s abduction and added that investigation had begun.

Meanwhile, another set of gunmen on Wednesday killed the assistant pastor of the Christ Holy Church in Onitsha, Anambra State, Justice Njigbo.

Mr Njigbo was attacked by three gunmen in the church premises around 4am.

His assailants reportedly scaled the church’s fence and made away with valuables after killing the cleric.

Anambra police spokesperson Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident.

Mr Mohammed said the deceased’s corpse had been deposited in a morgue.

“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,” said Mohammed.