Ondo: Gunmen kidnap cleric, wife, child, demand N75m ransom

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted an Anglican cleric, his wife and his 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.

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“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.