Nigeria: Pastor murdered and 7 congregants abducted in Ogun state attack

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Amid the ongoing genocidal persecution of Christians in Nigeria by Islamic jihadists, unidentified gunmen on Saturday stormed the parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ogun State, killing the pastor and abducting seven congregants, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

The attack on Saturday took place at around midnight at the Desires of Nations Parish in Abule-Ori, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, CP reports. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command Omolola Odutola said the man who was murdered has been identified as Pastor Kayode Oluwakemi, 56.

“[The pastor] was in church with other pastors and church members, when some hoodlums numbering about seven invaded their church, attacked them with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons with intent to Kidnap members,” Odutola said.

According to the Ogun State Social Orientation and Safety Corps Commander Soji Ganzallo, following a violent standoff, police were able to rescue the seven worshippers, MSN reports.

“The officers were charged to go after the suspects to rescue the victims unhurt and swung into action immediately,” Ganzallo said in a statement. “The seven victims were rescued unhurt, while one of the kidnappers was killed, and many of the suspects sustained serious injury during a fire exchange.”

Nigeria ranks 6th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

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