Abductors have demanded a N75 million ransom after taking Canon Olowolagba, an Anglican bishop, and his family but the police told FIJ they were unaware of the incident.
The family was travelling along Iboropa Road in the Akoko North-East council area of Ondo State during the Christmas celebration when they were abducted.
Odunlami Ibukun, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo Police Command, stated that the police had no knowledge of the kidnapping at press time.
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Babajide Bada, Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, said that Olowolagba and his family were kidnapped when they were travelling from Ipesi through Isua Akoko.
“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.
Bada also confirmed that the abductors first demanded N15 million, but when they could not gather the amount, the ransom was increased to N75 million.
“We told them that the money demanded for it was unreasonable; they later agreed to reduce it to N10 million,” he explained.
“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.”
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Bada also said the matter had been reported to Amotekun, a South-West local security outfit, and the police.
“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,” he said.
“We have also notified the hunters and reported the matter to the police, both in Ikare and Isua.”
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