We paid N11m ransom for our abducted pastors and members but bandits released only Muslim victims – Taraba church reveals, threatens self-defence

The Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) has vowed to resort to self-defence if both the federal and Taraba state governments failed to ensure the immediate release of their members from kidnappers and end banditry activities in the state.

Recall that bandits kidnapped 24 people, including a second-class chief of Kwanji, his daughter, two senior pastors, in Yorro Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. 

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, in Lanka Viri, the Yorro local government’s president, Rev. Micah Dopa, lamented the continued hostage of their pastors and members of the Yorro community by kidnappers for almost one month after ransom was paid. 

According to the Nigerian Tribune, the southern conference also alleged that the banditry activities, particularly in Yorro local government, were being targeted at erasing Christians in the area.

They insisted that both traditional rulers and political office holders, past and present, in the area should come out clear with proof that their hands are clean to counter the video in circulation where the key leader of the kidnapper is alleging that they have the backing of some leaders and the people in the area. 

According to Rev. Dopa, the church paid N11,000,000 in ransom for her pastors, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody.

“We want both the federal and Taraba state governments to act fast to end this ugly incident and ensure the release of our pastors and 14 others, or we will resort to self-defence, which is both biblical and constitutional,” Rev. Dopa said. 

“After receiving reports from the district superintendents and members on the state of security in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba, we wish to inform the whole world that the area is under siege by kidnappers.” 

“Twenty people were kidnapped in Pupule town, including two pastors, Rev. Elkanah MK Ayuba and Rev. Simon Ezra, and some members of the church on December 19, 2023, and up until now, they have been under the custody of kidnappers.

“On December 23, 2023, the kidnappers also launched another invasion into Dila Village, where Hon. Dimas Ishaya Dila of UMC Dila Charge and others were taken away.

“On December 26, 2023, another member of UMC, Mr Fidelis Daniel Junior, a student of Taraba State University, was taken at his residence while many villagers of Gongong were taken away at Gongong Maliki market around 3 pm, including the pastor of UMC Kasakuri and other church members

“We wish to in strong terms condemn the ungodly, barbaric, heartless, evil, and senseless act of banditry in the Yorro Community. This ugly development has led to confusion among the body of Christ and the community at large. The siege on the Yorro Community has crippled the economic development of the area, worsening the hardship of the rural dwellers as a huge ransom was demanded by the kidnappers.

“As a body of Christ, we mobilised and paid N11,000,000 for our members to be released, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody. Going by the video clip circulating in the media and the action of the kidnappers, it is clear to say that the kidnappers’ activities are a plot to erase Christians in the area,” they expressed.

While commending President Bola Tinubu, Governor Agbu Kefas, and security operatives for their efforts to tackle security challenges, the church implored the Yorro Community to be security conscious by reporting all strange movements of suspicious elements to relevant God-fearing security agencies for prompt action. 

It noted that the government alone can not provide the needed security in society, hence the need for collaboration to make Yorro safe again

Reacting to the press conference by the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), the State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo told journalists that the command has already mapped out strategies to flush out bandits, not only in the Yorro local government but the state at large.

Eribo appealed for calm and the provision of useful information to the police to ease the plan of action against kidnappers, since the idea of resorting to self-defense would call for anarchy.