A Nigerian pastor has stirred reactions online after revealing the outrageous ransom that kidnappers demanded for the release of a church member from his congregation.
The clergyman, identified on X (formerly Twitter) as @GideonOdoma, took to the platform to expose the high-stakes situation while appealing to the public about the severity of the kidnapping crisis affecting many communities across Nigeria.
Exorbitant ransom demand revealed
According to the pastor, the abducted church member was taken last month, and the kidnappers insisted on receiving five motorcycles, each valued at over ₦2 million, totaling more than ₦10 million for the person’s safe release. The demand has sparked outrage online as many question the motives and audacity of the kidnappers.
In his viral tweet, the pastor shared his incredulity and response to the kidnappers, while choosing not to disclose the identity of the abducted member to protect their privacy and security.
Read Tweet Below….
“This is the same bike they demanded from us last month, when they kidnapped one of our members. Each of that bike is over 2m Naira and the evil monsters were demanding five. Like 5 bikes! I told the negotiator to tell the beasts that if the brother’s family could afford such a ransom, would he be in the sort of public vehicle from whence they kidnapped him? People with that kind of money don’t travel on such roads as passengers in public buses. 5 bikes, how? Nigeria! See, this is not how to be a nation.”
Wider implications of the kidnapping crisis
The pastor’s revelation has reignited concerns over the increasing frequency of abductions in northern and central parts of Nigeria, with criminal gangs reportedly targeting ordinary citizens, church members, students, and commuters for ransom.
He also drew attention to a report by another X user claiming that some bandit groups recently held peace talks across five local government areas, highlighting the ongoing attempts by authorities and community leaders to negotiate with kidnappers while stressing the need for stronger security measures.
The clergyman’s post serves as a warning to citizens about the lengths to which kidnappers go, and the importance of awareness, caution, and collective action to protect vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
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