Abducted Ondo Church Members Regain Freedom

Unknown gunmen have released kidnapped choir members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, Akure, Ondo state, abducted a week ago.

Recall that choir members of the church were abducted along Ifon-Benin road in Ose Local Council Area of the state on their way to a funeral ceremony.

The abductors, therefore, demanded N50 million ransom for the release of the remaining 17 victims after eight of the 25 abducted narrowly escaped from the kidnappers’ den last week Saturday.

Speaking to reporters on Friday in Akure, a church member said the remaining victims were released by their abductors late Thursday night after the payment of ransom.

The church member stated that a huge amount of money was paid by the church and the families of the victims as ransom before they were released.

He said: “The negotiating team of the church returned with the remaining victims at 11:47 pm to the premises of the church in Akure.”

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ondo State House of Assembly, led by the Deputy Speaker, Abayomi Akinruntan, has visited the church and described the incident as unfortunate.

Akinruntan said there’s a law put in place for kidnapping, and it’s time to go back to the drawing board to find a way to review the law and see how it can be strengthened to ensure that the lives and property of the people of Ondo State are protected.

He added that the House would also liaise with the security agencies to ensure that maximum security is being put in place along the road so that people travelling in and out of Ondo State can travel safely.

In his reaction, the Regional Superintendent of the church, Odubanjo Region, Pastor Benjamin Akande, appreciated the team for the visit.

Akande said that the church fervently prayed for the release of the victims since the ugly incident occurred.