23rd April, 2022
By Sunday Bassey/Mkpat Enin (Akwa Ibom)
Founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom, Apostle John Okoriko, who was abducted on Tuesday has regained his freedom.
Assailants abducted Okoriko from his church premises on the day in question.
Later they demanded N100m as ransom. When the family said they couldn’t come up with the money, the abductors slashed the ransom to N30 million.
Police spokesman in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Macdon, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Uyo that the abductors released the cleric on Friday.
He did not say whether the release was done after ransom payment.
He said the police were still on the trail of the abductors.
“We are following up the matter professionally to ensure that the abductors are brought to book. We are not aware of any ransom paid to secure his release,’’ he said.
A family member of Okoriko’s expressed joy at the release of the cleric whom he said worshipped with the congregation at the Uyo branch of the church on Friday, soon after his release.