A pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Samson Ndah Ali, who was abducted earlier this week in Mararaba Aboro, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been released by his captors.
However, the man who delivered the ransom for his release, identified as Yusuf Shehu Ambi, is now being held by the kidnappers.
Ambi, who is reportedly the financial secretary of the ECWA church in Mararaba Aboro, had gone to deliver a substantial sum of money as ransom on behalf of the church community.
Upon delivering the funds, the abductors freed Pastor Ali but detained Ambi, allegedly making fresh demands for additional money or conditions before releasing him.
Pastor Ali was kidnapped from his residence in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025—barely two weeks after he was posted to the church.
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The kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of N100 million for his release.
At the time of this report, police authorities in Kaduna have not officially confirmed the incident or provided updates on ongoing rescue efforts.
A community source who spoke under the condition of anonymity said residents are growing increasingly anxious, as the abductors have yet to release Ambi or provide further information on negotiations.
This incident comes amid heightened concerns over the rising wave of abductions across the state and broader North-West region, where bandits continue to target clergy, schoolchildren, and community leaders for ransom.