Gunmen, believed to be kidnappers, have kidnapped an Anglican cleric, along with his wife and two children, in Ondo State.
Rev. Canon Olowolagba and his
family were kidnapped along Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in the Akoko North-East Local
Government Area of the state.
With the development creating
tension and panic in Ikaram-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Council, the
hometown of the cleric, residents of the community had engaged in fervent
prayers for the release of the victims.
While disclosing the incident
to newsmen in Akure, the state capital, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese,
Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada, stated that the family was abducted on Sunday between
4:00 pm and 5:30 pm.
“The man involved is Reverend
Olowolagba. He was travelling from Ipesi with his wife, Mrs Olowolagba, and
their 16-year-old daughter, Goodness Olowolagba, a 100-level student of
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), who came for a holiday at
home, and a nine-year-old girl staying with them, identified as Idowu.
“They drove from Ipesi through Isua Akoko. And when they got to between Isua and Ise-Akoko, they were kidnapped. And we did not know, until the following morning when their members discovered that they didn’t get to Ikaram, where they were going. And they were not also at home.
“Since then, those who
kidnapped them have been calling. They called to ask for a N75 million ransom.
And we said that’s very unreasonable.
However, the Bishop said the
kidnappers had insisted on the N75 million ransom before they could free the
victims.
“Presently, Amotekun and the
hunters are combing the bush to ensure the victims are rescued from their abductors.”
The Police spokesperson in the
state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, said she was yet to be briefed on the
incident.
On his part, the Commander of
the State Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, Adetunji
Adeleye, said the incident happened last week.
He added that his men have been
working with other security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
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