Police name victims of failed abduction of Apostle Johnson Suleiman in Edo State
Nigerian Police have reacted to the attack of a popular Nigerian pastor, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, ambushed by suspected kidnappers in Edo State on Friday.
Standard Gazette reported on Friday how the Founder of Omega Fire Ministries Int. was attacked on his way back to his hometown in Auchi, Edo State, when gunmen struck, killing 6 persons.
The Nigerian police, in reaction to the attack, said it was aware of the ugly incident along Warake-Auchi Road.
Three police personnel, Inspector Igbaugba Paragon, Inspector Afensumu Philip, and Inspector Akpolor Monday, were killed.
Police also identified the civilian casualties as Ahmed Promise, Momoh Ilegogie, and Janet (surname unknown), and Vera (surname unknown) was whisked away by the assailants.
According to a statement by the Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu said, “On receipt of this information, DPO Auchi immediately mobilized Policemen, gave the assailants a hot chase, and engaged them.
“One of the assailants was neutralized in the process, and one Toyota Avensis car WITH REG NO LAGOS KRD 92 HU was also recovered.”
The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue while intense bush coming and intelligence gathering are ongoing for possible arrests of the assailants.
The Outgoing CP, now AIG Abutu Yaro FDC, has ordered the DC CID, DCP Samuel Olawore, Explosive and Ordinance Investigators, and Forensic experts to Move to the scene, while Tactical Teams led by the AC OPs, ACP James Chu are advancing to the general area to conduct further coordinate pursuit of the assailants.
He commensurates with the bereaved families and prays to God to console them, as the authority of the Nigerian Police Force share from the moment of their grief while assuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to book to face the consequences of their action”.
The Command appealed for calm and promised to use all its Human and material resources to ensure that the assailants were brought to book.
It further urged the good people of the State to swiftly report any strange movement or unusual gathering within their environment to the police and other sister security agencies, noting that security is everybody’s business.
The police released field operational contact lines for discerning members of the Public to furnish the investigation team with any possible clues.
The numbers are DC OPs 0803 669 5572, Control Room Numbers 08077773721, 08067551618, 08056776365, 08123827225, 08037646272, and PPRO 09063738742.
Johnson Suleiman says Forces behind his attack
Meanwhile, Apostle Johnson Suleiman alleged that his attackers started in 2017, the genesis of his woes, referring to the very first time he was accused of sexual misconduct.
The Pastor released a video statement where he boasted that he could not be killed because “I am a man of God.”
Apostle Johnson Suleiman, a powerful preacher, did not mention names but said his several sexual accusations have been an attempt to destroy his reputation and an attempt on his life was a result of the failures of his enemies.
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