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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Gunmen abduct pastor, six children

A 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, told Metro 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.

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."
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.
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.

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