Kogi LG Boss Blames Living Faith Church For Kidnap Of Members

The Chairman of Adavi Local Government Area in Kogi State, Joseph Salami, has blamed the leadership of Living Faith Church, Osara, for the reported abduction of three members of the church.

Salami said the attack on the church and kidnap of three members resulted “out of their disobedience” of instructions not to hold any activity in the night.

An armed group had reportedly invaded the worship centre over the weekend and shot sporadically in the air before kidnapping the victims.

The members were said to have been rehearsing in the church when the incident occurred.

Salami in a statement on Monday identified the abducted victims to include a staff member of the Confluence University of Science and Technology and two students of Kogi State Polytechnic.

“Ever before now, we had series of meetings with the people of Osara Community and entire farm center, told them to restrict every night activities for now.

“Whoever wants to hold any activity in the night should get appropriate quarters informed and also get their approval to ensure that adequate security is provided, but out of their disobedience, they choose otherwise,” the chairman said.

Salami also praised the Governor Yahaya Bello administration for “doing everything humanly possible to keep Kogi State safe, protect lives and property”.

When THE WHISTLER contacted the state’s police spokesperson, William Aya, he debunked reports of any attack on the church and said the command was yet to establish that people were abducted.

“There was no attack on Living faith Church. We got the information of the attack but the police had gone there and the person holding the key to the church said there was no activities and there was no attack,” Aya said.

On the alleged abduction, he said, “We have not been able to establish that anyone was kidnapped because the pastor of the church is yet to come out to report of any kidnap”.

Aya said that if the report of the abduction eventually turns out to be true, the police would do everything possible to rescue the victims.