We paid N11m ransom for our k!dnapped Pastors and members, but bandit only released the Muslim victims – Taraba church lashes out

The Taraba Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church, UMC has vowed to resort to self-defence if both the federal and state governments refused to ensure the immediate release of their members from kidnappers and end banditry activities in the state.

Freshreporters media had gathered that bandits kidnapped 24 people, including a second-class chief of Kwanji, his daughter, two senior pastors, in Yorro Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, 19th of December, 2023.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, 4th of January, 2024, in Lanka Viri, the Yorro local government’s president, Rev. Micah Dopa, decried the continued hostage of their pastors and brethren of the Yorro community by kidnappers for almost one month after they paid them ransom.

Source disclosed that conference they had also alleged that the banditry activities, particularly in Yorro local government, were being targeted at erasing Christians in the area.

The body insisted that both traditional rulers and political office holders, past and present, in the area should come out clear with proof that their hands are clean to counter the video in circulation where the key leader of the kidnapper is alleging that they have the backing of some leaders and the people in the area of Taraba state.

According to Rev. Dopa, the church paid N11,000,000 in ransom for her pastors, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody.

“We want both the federal and Taraba state governments to act fast to end this ugly incident and ensure the release of our pastors and 14 others, or we will resort to self-defence, which is both biblical and constitutional,” Rev. Dopa said [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>>