Two pastors were abducted in January from the state of Kogi in central Nigeria, according to Morning Star News.
Pastor David Onubedo of Deeper Life Bible Church was kidnapped on the night of January 25 at gunpoint in Okene, when he was returning home after a Bible study. He is a minister at another church in Kebbi city and was in Okene for a visit.
Earlier in January, Pastor Ayo Raphael was abducted as he was leading a Sunday service at Redeemed Christian Church of God in the town of Lokoja.
The kidnappers are demanding 50 million naira (approx $251,300 USD) for both the pastors.
The Deeper Life Church asked people to pray for his safe release through a text message that read: "Please, begin to pray and send prayer requests to others for the release of Pastor Onubedo, a state overseer in Deeper Life Ministry who was reportedly kidnapped at his residence immediately after the Bible Study tonight [January 25]. The pastor wants us to immediately enter prayer closets both as individuals, families and in groups for his immediate safe release."
Raphael was taken away as he was preaching at the church, when gunmen wearing masks entered the building and took him at gunpoint.
"The gunmen attacked the church while Pastor Ayo was preaching. They ordered us to lie down and close our eyes as they shot into the air and dragged our pastor away at gunpoint," a church member said.
An American missionary, Phyllis Sortor, from the Free Methodist Church USA, was abducted in February last year in the state of Kogi. She was released about two weeks later, but it was not disclosed in the media how her release was secured.
