Rita Odafe
In Ondo State, armed assailants, suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted an Anglican minister and his family, which includes his wife and two children.
The victims, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and their children were taken while traveling along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in the Akoko North-East area.
The incident has caused widespread fear in Ikaram-Akoko, the cleric’s hometown, prompting local residents to engage in intense prayer for their safe return.
According to Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, the abduction occurred on Sunday between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM.
“The individual involved is Reverend Olowolagba, who was on the road with his wife, Mrs. Olowolagba, their 16-year-old daughter Goodness, a student from Adekunle Ajasin University visiting home for the holidays, and a nine-year-old girl, Idowu, who was staying with them,” the Bishop explained.
“They were traveling from Ipesi through Isua Akoko and were kidnapped between Isua and Ise-Akoko. It wasn’t until the next morning that people realized they hadn’t arrived in Ikaram or returned home.”
“Since the abduction, the kidnappers have contacted us and are demanding a ransom of N75 million, which we find extremely excessive.”
The Bishop confirmed that the kidnappers are holding firm on the ransom demand.
“Currently, the Amotekun security group and local hunters are searching the area to locate and rescue the victims.”
The spokesperson for the police in Ondo State, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, stated she has not yet received detailed information about the incident.
Additionally, Adetunji Adeleye, the head of the Amotekun Corps, mentioned that the abduction occurred last week, and his team is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to try to secure the victims’ release.
