Kidnappers Raise Stake As Church Members Mobilise Ransom To Free Bishop

Gunmen who kidnapped an Anglican bishop, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and children, along Iboropa road in Akoko North-East council area of Ondo State, have demanded a ransom of N75 million for their release.

According to sources, the abductors have opened a line of communication with the victims family members and leaders of the Anglican Church.

GWG also learnt that different associations have asked their members to raise some money to be added to the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

Announcing the traumatic incident on Friday, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada, said the family members were travelling from Ipesi through lsua Akoko when they were abducted.
Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada said, “They drove from Ipesi through Isua Akoko. And when they got to 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.

Bada said that the daughter of the clergyman, a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), who was on holiday, and a nine-year-old girl were abducted alongside the couple.

He confirmed that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N75 million before the victims could be released.

“But we told them that the money demanded for it was unreasonable; they later agreed to reduce it to N10 million.

“When we gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed it to N15 million. That’s why we’ve not secured the release of the bishop and his family members.

“The abductors have now insisted on a N75 million ransom before they could set free the victims.

The cleric said that the matter had been reported to the state security outfit codenamed Amotekun.

“Amotekun is working because we have reported the matter at the Amotekun office in Akure, and they have started work to secure the release of the victims.

“We have also notified the hunters and reported the matter to the police, both in Ikare and Isua.

“Presently, Amotekun and the hunters are combing the bush, to ensure the victims are rescued from their captors.

Speaking on the unfortunate incident, the chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Akoko North-West Local Government, Sheikh Basiru Aminu, has called on religious leaders and the people of the community to pray for the victims to be released unhurt.

Contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Funmi Odunlami, said that the matter was not reported to any police station.

But the state Amotekun commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the abduction of the victims.

Adeleye said that “Amotekun Corps is working with other security agencies to secure the release of the victims.

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