Gunmen kidnap American Pastor During Church Service in South Africa
- 45-year-old American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was kidnapped by gunmen during a church service in South Africa
- The kidnapping incident occurred at the Fellowship Baptist on Thursday evening, April 10, 2025 the Eastern Cape
- Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said the case had been handed to South Africa's elite police unit, known as the Hawks
Legit.ng journalist, Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Eastern Cape, South Africa - Armed men abducted an American pastor, Josh Sullivan, after they stormed his church during service in Motherwell, a township in Gqeberra in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
45-year-old Pastor Sullivan was conducting service at Fellowship Baptist when "four armed and masked male suspects entered" on Thursday evening, April 10, 2025.
Source: Twitter
As reported by BBC, Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge, disclosed this while reacting to the kidnap incident.
Beetge said the armed men stole two phones before fleeing the church in Pastor Sullivan's silver Toyota Fortuner.
He said the Police later found the vehicle abandoned, but there was no trace of Pastor Sullivan.
Capt Beetge said the case had been handed to South Africa's elite police unit, known as the Hawks.
The Hawks investigates serious organised and commercial crimes and high-level corruption in South Africa.
The Hawks spokesman, Lt Col Avele Fumba, said:
"The police is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators,"
Jeremy Hall, the Sullivan family's spokesman, said the kidnapped pastor was at the church with his wife and their children when the incident took place.
"They knew his name."
Pastor Sullivan moved to South Africa with his wife and children in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking people.
Gunmen kidnap pastor, family in Ondo
Legit.ng earlier reported that Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and two children were kidnapped by gunmen on the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Ondo State while traveling to Ikaram.
Initially, the kidnappers demanded N10 million, but later raised the ransom to N75 million, delaying the victims' release, according to Bishop Babajide Bada.
Amotekun Corps is collaborating with other security agencies to rescue the victims, while local leaders have called for prayers for their safe return.
Unknown Gunmen Abduct 2 Pastors In Adamawa
Legit.ng also reported that two resident pastors with the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, were kidnapped in the Song local government area of Adamawa state.
The state police spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the gunmen kidnapped the pastors around 11 pm on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Nguroje disclosed the next line of action and plan on how to rescue the kidnapped pastors from their abductors.
Gunmen attack church during night vigil
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that gunmen attacked Elyon Paradise Ministry in Delta State during a Friday night vigil, shooting the pastor and abducting six worshippers.
The incident has sparked widespread concern over the safety of religious gatherings in the region.
Authorities have yet to confirm the attack, leaving the community frustrated and demanding urgent action.
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Source: Legit.ng
