Gunmen abduct American missionary in Kogi

Two masked gunmen have kidnapped Phyllis Sortor (pictured), an American missionary with Free Methodist Church at Hope Academy, a school in Emiworo village in Kogi state.

According to Sola Adebayo, Kogi state police public relation officer, the gunmen stormed the school premises around 10:00 am on Monday, shooting sporadically to scare away staff and students from possibly hindering them.

Adebayo said the kidnap was well-planned, disclosing that the kidnappers escaped with their target by scaling the fence of the school, the same route through which they entered the premises.

He said they handed her over to other members of the gang who were outside, before escaping into nearby hills surrounding the area.

Adebayo said Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, who assumed duty as the state commissioner of police nine days earlier, had set up a rescue team in collaboration with members of the community and some Fulani herdsmen.

“Immediately the police was alerted, the commissioner dispatched officers to the location and later led a team there,” he told TheCable.

“An intensive search is on. Even the Fulani herdsmen in the community have been alerted all in the bid to ensure that she is rescued alive.

“Officers have also been deployed to secure the staff and students of the school. We are making serious effort to ensure that she is rescued unhurt.”

Ogunjemilusi, who described the act as “purely criminal”, told CNN that Sortor’s abductors are demanding a ransom of N60 million.

The US embassy in Nigeria and the FBI have reportedly been notified of the incident.

“I don’t see any reason why people would go and kidnap a woman that is above 60 years old,” a resident of the community, who did not want to be named, told TheCable.

“This is someone that is well-loved because she has been helping the community.”

NBC station King5, a radio station in the US, reported that Sortor’s grandson Richard, expressed shock over the incident.

“This is surreal, just surreal, I can’t believe this,” he was quoted as saying.

“She believes in God, she’s doing God’s work.”

David Kendall, a bishop at Sortor’s church, appealed for prayers on her behalf.

“We are calling on the US church to join together in prayer for Phyllis’ safety and speedy release,” read a statement credited to Kendall on Free Methodist’s website.

According to King5, Sortor is an alumna of Seattle Pacific University and has been working in Nigeria for about 10 years.

The victim appeared to have been enjoying her time in Nigeria, as expressed in one of her recent updates on social media.

“Just a little note to share the joy with you regarding the (long-awaited) opening of our brand-new (International Child Care Ministries) school in Enugu!” she wrote.