Federal Character
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business & Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Relationship and Life
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Health
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business & Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Relationship and Life
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Health
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Federal Character
No Result
View All Result
Home Government

Kidnapped US Pastor Found Alive After Violent Shootout in South Africa

Somto NwanoluebySomto Nwanolue
April 16, 2025
in Government
0
Kidnapped US Pastor Found Alive After Violent Shootout in South Africa
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

An American pastor kidnapped during a church service in South Africa has been rescued following a dramatic shootout that left three suspects dead, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old missionary from the US, was safely recovered in Gqeberha’s township Tuesday evening—the same Eastern Cape region where armed assailants abducted him last Thursday.

The successful operation by South Africa’s elite Hawks police unit ended a five-day ordeal that had gripped international religious communities.

Kidnapped US Pastor Found Alive After Violent Shootout in South Africa

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • How the Hawks Secured Sullivan’s Release
  • Taking a Look at South Africa’s Soaring Kidnapping Crisis
  • Aftermath of Rescue and Ongoing Security Concerns

How the Hawks Secured Sullivan’s Release

According to Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba, tactical officers located Sullivan after acting on verified intelligence. “As our team approached the suspects’ hideout, they attempted to flee in a vehicle while opening fire,” Fumba stated.

“Officers responded with precision, resulting in a high-intensity exchange that neutralized three kidnappers.” The operation unfolded just hours after the captors issued a ransom demand, though authorities have not disclosed the amount.

The Sullivan family’s spokesman, Jeremy Hall, revealed the kidnappers had personal knowledge of the pastor’s movements. “They knew his name,” Hall told news media outlet, TimesLIVE, describing the terrifying moment gunmen stormed the Fellowship Baptist Church service.

Sullivan’s wife and children witnessed the abduction at their Xhosa-speaking congregation, which the missionary established in 2018 after relocating from the US.

Taking a Look at South Africa’s Soaring Kidnapping Crisis

The incident highlights South Africa’s worsening security situation, with police statistics showing a 264% surge in kidnappings over the past decade. Gqeberha’s Eastern Cape province has become a hotspot for organized crime, including targeted abductions of foreign nationals.

The Hawks—a specialized unit tackling serious economic and organized crimes—increasingly handle ransom cases as syndicates exploit the country’s porous borders and under-resourced law enforcement.

Sullivan’s personal website identifies him as a “church-planting missionary” dedicated to evangelical work among South Africa’s Xhosa communities.

His abduction triggered international prayer vigils and diplomatic engagement from US officials. While the pastor sustained no physical injuries, trauma specialists are assisting the family amid reports of psychological strain from the captivity.

Aftermath of Rescue and Ongoing Security Concerns

With the kidnappers killed during the rescue, investigators are now working to identify their network—including possible accomplices familiar with Sullivan’s ministry schedule.

This case in particularly has led to various debates about protection for religious workers in high-risk regions, especially as South Africa prepares to host the 2025 Evangelical Missions Summit.

Tags: federal characterNewspastorShootoutsouth africaUS
Somto Nwanolue

Somto Nwanolue

Somto Nwanolue is a news writer with a keen eye for spotting trending news and crafting engaging stories. Her interests includes beauty, lifestyle and fashion. Her life’s passion is to bring information to the right audience in written medium

Related Posts

Ghana in Mourning as Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76
Government

Ghana in Mourning as Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76

October 23, 2025
Nigeria Bans Sex with Minors but Ignores Muslim Marriages to Minors
Government

Nigeria Bans Sex with Minors but Ignores Muslim Marriages to Minors

October 22, 2025
Sarkozy Gets VIP Treatment in Jail as Police Guard His Cell
Government

Sarkozy Gets VIP Treatment in Jail as Police Guard His Cell

October 22, 2025
Next Post
Police Declare ABC Transport Founder’s Daughter Wanted For Alleged Cybercrime

Police Declare ABC Transport Founder’s Daughter Wanted For Alleged Cybercrime

The Best Dressed Celebrities from Coachella 2025: Weekend 1

The Best Dressed Celebrities from Coachella 2025: Weekend 1

EFCC Investigates CBEX Fraud After ₦1.3 Trillion Investment Crash

EFCC Investigates CBEX Fraud After ₦1.3 Trillion Investment Crash

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Oyo APC Chair Isaac Omodewu Passes Away in U.S. at 61

Oyo APC Chair Isaac Omodewu Passes Away in U.S. at 61

1 year ago
Napoli Crowned Serie A Champions After Final Day Clashes With Cagliari

Napoli Crowned Serie A Champions After Final Day Clashes With Cagliari

5 months ago
Myanmar's Deadly Quake: Over 1,000 Killed as UN and NGOs Rush Emergency Aid

Myanmar’s Deadly Quake: Over 1,000 Killed as UN and NGOs Rush Emergency Aid

7 months ago
Why Am I Feeling Dizzy? Understanding the Causes and Finding Relief

Why Am I Feeling Dizzy? Understanding the Causes and Finding Relief

2 years ago

Categories

  • Beauty
  • Business & Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Government
  • Health
  • News
  • Politics
  • Relationship and Life
  • Sports
  • Tech

Topics

2023 Aboki/Bureau De Change (BDC) apc Arsenal buhari Business cbn chelsea china court Davido Dollar Efcc Election Entertainment Euro and Pounds To Naira Exchange Rate For Today exchange rates for the Nigerian Naira (NGN) Fashion federal character federal government Finance food Football Foreign News government health inec Israel lagos Manchester United Naira Naira Black Market exchange rates News Nigeria pdp police Politics president protest Russia Sports tinubu trump ukraine US
No Result
View All Result

Highlights

Chloe Bailey Breaks Silence on Romance With Burna Boy — Here’s What We Know

Wembanyama Drops 40 in Stunning Return as Spurs Crush Mavericks in Season Opener

October Onslaught: Naira Free-Falls as Dollar, Euro, Pound Tighten the Noose

Osimhen Scores Twice as Galatasaray Win 3-1 Away Against Bodo/Glimt in Champions League

The Internet Declared Kendall Jenner’s ‘King Kylie’ Outfit a ‘Fail.’ Here’s Why They’re Right

Nigeria Bans Sex with Minors but Ignores Muslim Marriages to Minors

Trending

Movie Review: Why Same Place, Same Time Is Undermined by Weak Plot and Technical Flaws — 4/10
Entertainment

Movie Review: Why Same Place, Same Time Is Undermined by Weak Plot and Technical Flaws — 4/10

byAyobami Owolabi
October 23, 2025
0

Bolaji Ogunmola’s latest film, Same Place, Same Time, promises a story about love, friendship, and timing but...

Ghana in Mourning as Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76

Ghana in Mourning as Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76

October 23, 2025
Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier Arrested in FBI Sports Betting Investigation

Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier Arrested in FBI Sports Betting Investigation

October 23, 2025
Chloe Bailey Breaks Silence on Romance With Burna Boy — Here’s What We Know

Chloe Bailey Breaks Silence on Romance With Burna Boy — Here’s What We Know

October 23, 2025
Wembanyama Drops 40 in Stunning Return as Spurs Crush Mavericks in Season Opener

Wembanyama Drops 40 in Stunning Return as Spurs Crush Mavericks in Season Opener

October 23, 2025

We launched Federal Character in February 2021 based on the belief that the world is in need of smarter and more efficient reporting of events shaping our rapidly changing world. We pledged to put our audience first, always.

Recent News

  • Movie Review: Why Same Place, Same Time Is Undermined by Weak Plot and Technical Flaws — 4/10
  • Ghana in Mourning as Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76
  • Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier Arrested in FBI Sports Betting Investigation

Categories

  • Beauty
  • Business & Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Government
  • Health
  • News
  • Politics
  • Relationship and Life
  • Sports
  • Tech

© 2024 FederalCharacter.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business & Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Relationship and Life
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Health
  • Opinion

© 2024 Federalcharacter.com