The General Overseer of the Bible Christian Crusade Mission (BCCM), Pastor Joseph Okoro, has been kidnapped.
Pastor Okoro was kidnapped on Wednesday night in the Church by unknown gunmen.
It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 8;45 pm Wednesday at the Church Headquarters located at 55 Webber Street,Calabar-South Local Government Area took members unaware.
An eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity said that the gun men numbering about five invaded the place and whisked the Founder of the church in his own vehicle away.
“The ugly incident occurred just after church service on Wednesday when the General Overseer wanted to leave the premises and gunmen numbering about five accosted him and took him away.
“The service had ended as usual on Wednesday and a lot of people had left the church except for some few workers and pastor’s protocol people.
“When he was about leaving gun men numbering about five entered the premises and forced him into his vehicle
“They came in as members. After the programme, he went to his office, and as he was about to leave and go to his car and go home, the kidnappers approached him.
“Some people tried to struggle with them and they brought out guns and threatened to shoot anyone who interfered.
“They told everybody to lie down. The pastor asked the people not to struggle, that he will go with them,” the source said.
It was further gathered that the Pastor was whisked away in his Lexus SUV and as at the time if filing this report no contact was made by the kidnappers neither could the pastors phone be reached.
Speaking on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said that all the units have been alerted both on land and water.
“The kidnap is confirmed. The Anti-Kidnapping unit of the police is working on it with a view to ensuring the safe return of the pastor,” she stated.