Gunmen abduct pastor, wife, children in Ondo, demand N75m ransom

The Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun on Saturday confirmed the abduction of an Anglican priest, simply identified as Cannon Olowolagba, his wife and two children.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped along Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State last Sunday.

According to a source in the community, the victims were travelling in a car when the hoodlums stopped them on the road and dragged them into the bush to an unknown destination.

However, the source disclosed that the bandits had contacted the family and demanded a sum of N10 million for the release of the victims.

Similarly, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Babajide Bada, who also confirmed the incident on Saturday, on the contrary, said, the abductors had increased the ransom to N75million.

The cleric said, “The unfortunate incident happened on Sunday between 4 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 who came for a 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 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 (bandits ) called to ask for a ransom. Later, they said N10 million. But when we gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed to N75million. That is why the Reverend and the wife, including the two children are still there.”

The Commander of the Amotekun Corps in the state, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who also confirmed the incident, said efforts were ongoing to get the victims rescued.

Adeleye said, “It is true, though the incident didn’t happen the day before yesterday, it happened last week. We are working with other security agencies to ensure we rescue the victims.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the incident was not reported at any police station in the command.

Reacting, a community leader and the chairman of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Akoko North West Local Government, Sheik Basiru Aminu urged the people of Ikaram Akoko to intensify prayers and admonition on the quick release of the four victims who are sons and daughters of the community.