I Wanted To Raise N20m To Expand My Church, Says Pastor Arrested For Kidnapping

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Pastor Adetokunbo Adenopo, founder of the New Life Ministry Church, arrested for conspiracy and kidnapping, has confessed to the Police that he did so in order to raise money; use the proceeds to expand his Church and assist people for the spread of the gospel.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Lukosi area of Sagamu, Ogun State, where the Church is located.

However, Adenopo was arrested alongside three other members of his gang –  Chigozie Williams, 22, native of Umuahia North, Abia State; Ugoji Linus, 30, native of Ezinifite in Imo State; and Emmanuel Chris Ani, 27, native of Aniri in Enugu State.
They were arrested by the Police operatives from Ogun State Command and paraded after the victim, one Jonathan Ekpo, 35, was rescued from captivity inside Pastor Adenopo’s Church.

During the parade, Adenopo explained what led him into  kidnapping the victim, Ekpo, who was a delivery man. He told newsmen that he needed money to help people as well as expand his church.

“In my Church, we do charity; I share food and palliatives to people and this became stronger during the COVID-19. I felt pity for people and I don’t have any money in my account and people still come to me for help,” he said.

The Police alleged that Ekpo, from Benue State, was kidnapped on 17th July, 2020, when he had gone to deliver goods. He was kept in an underground cabin in the Pastor’s Church and the captors started negotiating and demanded N20 million ransom for his release.

However, the Police said the man was rescued nine days later without paying the ransom through intelligence and information which led to the arrest of the suspects, who will be charged before the Court after the conclusion of Investigation.
The alleged offence attracts several years of Imprisonment if they are tried and found guilty before the Court which might be the end of the Church.