Gunmen abduct pastor, six children

27-man gang on Friday abducted a pastor, Mr. Godson Akubiro, and six of his children from their Adeosun Street residence, Koya Estate, Igbo Olomu, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Akubiro is said to be the founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church in the area. The incident was said to have occurred about 1.30am.

Neighbours, who requested anonymity, it was gathered that the gunmen arrived at Akubiro residence in three jeeps and a Toyota Tundra vehicle. The number plates of the vehicles were said to have been covered. The gunmen, who wore army camouflage, had allegedly gained entrance into the house with the aid of an iron cutter.

It was learnt that since the abduction, no one had heard from Akubiro and his six children.

The Community Developmen Association Chairman, Mr. Yinka Obasan, said he was alerted about the development about 2am.

I got a call that night from a resident who was coming from a vigil. He told me that he noticed some military vehicles parked outside Akubiro’s home. He said the vehicles belonged to a high ranking military official because the insignia was covered.

“I told the man to wait for me and together we went to Akubiro’s home. When we got there, I greeted the men I met outside and introduced myself as the CDA chairman. I asked them if there was a problem. Instead of answering me, they turned on my companion and accused him of alerting me.

“After berating both of us for not minding our business, they forced us to sit on the ground and seized our phones. There was another resident sitting on the ground; they had detained him since 12am when they arrived. Then they started beating us.”

It was learnt that inside the Akubiro residence six of Akubiro’s children were in the sitting room watching a movie, when the men, said to be dressed in dark googles, black jeans and heavy bullet proof vests entered.

PUNCH Metro gathered that they told the terrified children that they were policemen and proceeded to drag their father, who was sleeping, from his bedroom into the sitting room. The six children, whose ages ranged between 30 and eight years, were beaten up.

One of them, an eight-year-old named Emeka, was allegedly tied to a tree in the compound. No reason was allegedly given by the gunmen for their actions.

Another 18-year-old boy named Obiora was said to have been tortured with a taser. Akubiro’s wife, Rita, was said to be away on a trip to South Africa at the time.

It was learnt that the gunmen later took Akubiro away along with Ada, his first daughter, Obiora, Oyinyenchi, Felicia,, Nonso and Kingsley. Three person were allegedly left behind – Emeka, Chidera and a baby.

Obasan said, “Around 2.45am, those who were inside came out with Akubiro and his children. They said they were going to the man’s church to burn it down – Akubiro is the founder and head of the Mountain of Breakthrough Church on Breakthrough Street in this estate.

“They put their victims in their vehicles and zoomed off. Before leaving, they threw our phones at us.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that immediately the gunmen left, a report was lodged at the Owutu Police Division.

However, the DPO was said to have denied that the gunmen were policemen.

PUNCH Metro learnt that since the incident, no one had been able to establish contact with Akubiro and his children. His wife Rita, who returned from South Africa the following day, was said to have received no calls concerning their whereabouts.

There was no response from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ngozi Braide as she did not respond to calls and text message to her phone.