Kidnappers have demanded a ransom of ₦75 million for the release of Reverend Canon Olowolagba, an Anglican priest, along with his wife and two children.
The family was abducted along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government area of Ondo State.
Reverend Olowolagba, who hails from Ikaram-Akoko, was traveling with his wife, Mrs. Olowolagba, their 16-year-old daughter, Goodness Olowolagba, a first-year student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), and a nine-year-old girl named Idowu who was staying with them.
The abduction occurred on Sunday between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm, as they made their way from Ipesi through Isua Akoko, before being intercepted near Ise-Akoko.
According to The Nation, the Bishop of the Akoko Anglican Diocese, Reverend Babajide Bada, confirmed the kidnapping, explaining that the family’s disappearance became evident the following morning when church members realized they had not arrived at their destination in Ikaram.
Bada said, “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 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 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.
“Since then, those who kidnapped them have been calling. They called to ask for ₦75million ransom. And we said that’s very unreasonable. Later, they said ₦10million. But when we’d gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed to ₦15million. That’s why the Reverend and the wife, including the two children are still there.
“Amotekun is working, because we have reported the matter at the Amotekun office in Akure. And they ‘re working over the matter. 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 abductors.”
In response to the situation, Ondo State police spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, stated that no formal report of the incident had been received by the police.
Meanwhile, Ondo Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, assured the public that all relevant security agencies were working together to ensure the safe return of the victims.
