A 63-year-old pastor of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Mr. Aniefiok Assian, has appealed for urgent intervention from security agencies following the continued disappearance of his 23-year-old son, Utibeabasi, despite the payment of a ransom demanded by kidnappers.
According to the cleric, his son was abducted on December 3, 2025, after leaving home to purchase materials for the church’s annual convention in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The pastor said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦30 million but later agreed to accept ₦500,000 after negotiations. The money was reportedly paid through a Point-of-Sale transaction into an account linked to a business identified as Uzo Onuoha Enterprise.
Assian explained that after the payment, the abductors instructed him and his wife to wait at Ekom Iman Junction in Abak Local Government Area to pick up their son. However, they never heard from the kidnappers again.
More than five months after the incident, the whereabouts of the young man remain unknown.
The distraught father accused security agencies of failing to make significant progress despite multiple reports made to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Department of State Services and the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit.
While commending some officers for their efforts, he expressed disappointment over what he described as delays, repeated requests for money to conduct tracking operations and a lack of concrete results.
Assian said investigations traced the account that received the ransom payment, but authorities were unable to identify or locate those responsible for the crime.
The missing student, a final-year Theatre Arts undergraduate at University of Uyo, was described by his father as a committed Christian and choir leader who actively participated in church activities.
The pastor also revealed that before the disappearance, his son had been involved in a disagreement with some youths in the church over an emblem he believed was associated with cultism. He noted that the matter was discussed within the church and reported to the police, although investigators reportedly found no direct link between the individuals involved and the abduction.
Despite the prolonged ordeal, Assian said he remains hopeful that his son will return safely.
“My heart is broken, but I still trust God. We believe he will come back home alive,” the pastor said.
The case adds to growing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Nigeria, where families often face uncertainty even after meeting ransom demands.
