A pastor has been killed while several others were kidnapped by gunmen in the Nde community in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.

It was gathered that the gunmen wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded the community around 7am on Sunday, April 28, 2024, shooting sporadically before whisking the victims into the forest.

This incident was said to have happened near the Nde Community Police Checkpoint.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday, adding that four of the kidnapped victims were rescued.

The PPRO added that the pastor was killed during the attack while another victim was receiving treatment at a medical facility in Ikom.

“Yes, there were more than that number; four have been rescued. We are aware that one of the pastors died and one is receiving treatment. The number of those kidnapped could be higher. But we’ve been able to rescue four. And we’re still on it. The incident happened in the Ikom area. And our focus is on that area now,” she added.