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BREAKING: Bandits Release Popular Nigerian Televangelist, Rev. Mike Ochigbo, After Alleged Payment Of N10Million

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May 26, 2023

Popular Nigerian television preacher and motivational speaker, Rev. Mike Ochigbo, has been freed by his abductors.

 

Ochigbo regained freedom Friday morning after an alleged payment of a ransom of N10 million, according to one of the police officers tracking the whereabouts of the abductors.

 

The officer, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, said, "We were tracking their whereabouts and the negotiation when suddenly we heard that N10 million was delivered to the criminals."

 

He disclosed that Ochigbo and Pastor John Moses were evacuated from the 'Malkohi' hills, some eight kilometres away from the 23 Brigade headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Yola, the Adamawa state capital.

 

On May 24, 2023, SaharaReporters reported that the kidnappers of a popular televangelist and motivational speaker in Adamawa State, Ochigbo, had demanded a ransom of N40 million to free him.

 

Ochigbo and another cleric, John Moses were abducted by rampaging gunmen on Tuesday night, as confirmed by the state police command.

 

A female member of the pastor's church, Freedom Power Chapel in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the bandits had "called and demanded N40 million ransom this afternoon."

 

As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Suleiman Nguroje had yet to confirm the release of the two clerics, as calls made to his mobile phone were not answered.