A group of Christians, including a church pastor, are missing after being kidnapped in Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram militants while on their way to deliver aid.
Rabiu Aminu, the Borno State Coordinator for the National Youth Service Corps, said that corps member Abraham Amuta was kidnapped alongside Pastor Oyeleke and several members of Living Faith Church while they were on their way to north-east Borno State, reports the News Agency of Nigeria.
The kidnapping happened as they travelled from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and a hotbed of Boko Haram activity, to Chibok, where in 2014 the terrorist group kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls, many of whom are still missing.
"The church claimed that the corps member was abducted alongside his pastor," Aminu said.
"We visited the Church, and the Commissioner of Police called us on Friday over the incident and assured us of their total support to address the situation."
Amuta's housemate, Success Ezeanya, called for prayers for his friend's safe return on Twitter.
"He went for evangelism with a pastor from his church — Living Faith," he said. "He is an only son. Let's not forget him in our prayers."
Ezeanya told The Punch that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom equivalent to over half a million dollars for the release of the group.
It is unclear how many members of Living Faith Church were kidnapped.
Nigeria is ranked 12th on the Open Doors list of world's worst countries for persecution. Thousands of people have died as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency as the group has often targeted Christians.
