It has been reported eight Christians have been abducted while on their way to evangelise in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

On Friday, a group of church members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God were travelling towards the town of Kafanchan when gunmen intercepted the bus, according to International Christian Concern and the Nigerian Tribune. 

Eje Kenny Faraday, a witness, posted a picture on Facebook showing the empty bus saying “All passengers in the bus are just kidnapped along Kachia Road, Km 63 from Kaduna.”

The kidnappers have reportedly been in contact with the church and have demanded the equivalent of £88,000 for their release.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, said: “The divisional police officer in charge of the area reported to us in the early hours of today (Saturday) that a vehicle with the inscription, ‘Redeemed Christian Church of God’ was found by the roadside with no occupant.

“The vehicle was about to be taken into custody when we received a phone call that some people were on their way from Kaduna to the scene; they brought an extra key for the vehicle. So, instead of towing the vehicle, we just allowed the church to take it away,” Mohammed Jalige said.

A search for the members has been launched by security agencies including the police and the military.