Just in: Gunmen Kidnap Two EYN Pastors

Two Christian clerics, Rev. James Kwayam and Pastor Ishaku Chiwar, affiliated with the ‘Eklesiyar Yanuea a Nigeria’ (EYN), also known as the ‘Church of the Brethren’, were abducted in Adamawa State, Nigeria, just 48 hours before the start of the new year.

The kidnapping occurred in Billa-Malabu, within the Fufore Local Government Area, as confirmed by the Nigerian Police Force.

A police statement noted that the religious leaders were kidnapped in their homes in Hayin-Gada neighbourhood at about 2 am on Monday.

The kidnappers were reportedly heavily armed.

Meanwhile, the abductors have yet to contact family members of their victims to demand any ransom, so it is not clear if they were kidnapped for money or other reasons.

The spokesperson for Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the anti-kidnapping unit of the command is on the trail of the kidnappers.

“Adamawa State Police command has vehemently condemned an unprovoked kidnapping of Pastor Ishaku D. Chiwar and Reverend James Kwayam of EYN Church, Billa Malabu, at the early hours of today, December 30th, 2024,” he said.

“The incident occurred at Billa Malabu, in Fufore local government area, where the kidnappers targeted the houses of the victims situated at Hayin Gada, Billa village, Malabu district, Fufore local government area and kidnapped them.

“The kidnappers, who were armed with offensive weapons invaded the victims’ houses around 2:00 am and whisked them away.”

“On the strength of that, the Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, deployed the command’s operational and manpower assets to give a hot chase to the kidnappers, rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Nguroje added.

Nguroje assured the public that the efforts of the command will bring the perpetrators and other persons involved to justice, emphasising the command ‘s commitment to protecting lives and resisting all forms of violent crimes in the state.

According to him, “the unprovoked kidnapping of religious leaders is unacceptable as they are critical stakeholders in policing service”.