Pastor Faturoti Olaniyi, a minister with The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday, June 25, in Karu, Nasarawa State. The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. when unidentified armed men invaded his residence and took him to an unknown location.
According to local sources, the kidnappers stormed the pastor’s home while he and his family were asleep. They reportedly forced their way into the building and abducted Pastor Olaniyi without any known resistance. No information has been released about whether any other individuals in the household were harmed during the incident.
The motive behind the abduction remains unclear. As of Thursday, there has been no public statement from the abductors, and no ransom demand has been officially reported. The situation has caused concern among residents of Karu and members of the RCCG community, who have called for increased security measures and urgent efforts to secure the pastor’s safe return.
Security agencies in Nasarawa State have been notified of the kidnapping and have since launched an investigation. Local police, in conjunction with other security forces, are actively working to trace the abductors’ movements and locate Pastor Olaniyi. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether they have any leads, but they have assured the public that efforts are underway to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has appealed to the public for any information that might assist in locating the pastor or identifying the kidnappers. They emphasized the importance of community cooperation in tackling the growing threat of abductions in the region.
Pastor Olaniyi is described by those who know him as a dedicated member of the RCCG and a respected leader in his local congregation. His abduction has sparked distress among church members, many of whom gathered on Wednesday to pray for his safety and swift release. The church leadership has also urged authorities to intensify their search efforts.
This incident adds to a growing number of kidnapping cases in Nasarawa and surrounding states in recent months. Criminal groups, often unidentified, have increasingly targeted individuals for ransom, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Religious leaders have not been exempt from these attacks, raising further concerns about the security of clergy and places of worship across Nigeria.
In response to the ongoing threat, security experts have called for better surveillance, improved intelligence sharing, and community-based approaches to security. Many residents have expressed frustration over what they see as insufficient government action to prevent such crimes.
As of the time of reporting, there have been no official updates on Pastor Olaniyi’s whereabouts or condition. The RCCG has appealed for calm among its members and asked for continued prayers while law enforcement agencies carry out their work.
Authorities are urging anyone with credible information related to the case to come forward. The investigation remains active, with security forces continuing to search for clues that could lead to Pastor Olaniyi’s rescue and the arrest of those responsible for his abduction.
