Abducted Ondo pastor, wife, children regain freedom

An Ondo Anglican priest, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and two children, who were abducted last Sunday, have been released by their abductors.

They were kidnapped along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, while travelling to Ikaram-Akoko, their home town.

The kidnappers later contracted the clergy man’s family and employer, demanding a ransom of N75m.

Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt Rev. Babajide Bada, who confirmed the incident, said it happened last Sunday between 4 pm and 5:30 pm.

He further said the Ondo Priest was visiting his home town with his family when they were abducted.

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He added that Rev Olowolagba spent several days in captivity because the kidnappers kept changing their demands.

Bishop Bada said, “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 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 between Isua and Ise-Akoko, they were kidnapped. And we didn’t 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 N75million ransom. And we said that’s very unreasonable. Later, they said N10million. But when we’d gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed to N15million. That’s why the reverend and the wife, including the two children are still there.”

Meanwhile, Ondo police spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, denied knowledge of the incident, saying it was not reported to the police.

“We do not have such a story, nothing of such was reported.”

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