ABUJA, Nigeria — Even though ransom was paid, a pastor and his daughter were not released by their captors, who threatened to kill the pastor unless even more ransom is given.
On July 14, Isa Andrew and his 13-year-old daughter, Grace Isa Andrew, were kidnapped from their home in Gusau in Nigeria’s Zamfara state. The media outlets Christian Daily International and Morning Star News say the father is chaplain for All Saints Protestant Church of the Zamfara State Police Command.
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Relatives sold possessions and secured loans and, with the help of other people, accumulated the $3,770 (6 million naira) in ransom that the kidnappers demanded. However, the captors then demanded another 6 million naira plus three motorcycles by Aug. 15 or else they would kill the pastor, the news outlets report.
A video that relatives received showed the pastor blindfolded and begging for ransom to be paid. Standing beside him was his daughter with a rifle strapped to her shoulder, an indication that she would be forced to marry and join the abductors, the news outlets state.
The pastor and his daughter had not been returned as of Aug. 20, according to the media outlets’ report that day.
Nigeria is No. 6 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian. Nigeria has led the world in the number of Christians kidnapped or killed for their faith.
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