By Gbenga Ojikutu
The Ondo Anglican priest, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and two children, who were abducted on Sunday, have been freed.
The details of their release at the time of filing this report were sketchy.
The kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of N75m.
The Anglican priest and his family members were abducted along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He hails from Ikaram-Akoko.
Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rev. Babajide Bada, who confirmed the incident, said it happened last 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 (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 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 N75million ransom. And we said that’s very unreasonable. Later, they said N10million. But when we’d gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed to N15million. That’s why the reverend and the wife, including the two children are still there.”
Ondo police spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, said no report of such an incident was made.
“We do not have such a story, nothing of such was reported.”
It was gathered that the Ẹgbẹ Akọ́mọlédè in Ondo State had asked its members to contribute money to raise N10m to pay as ransom to the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, a prominent herdsman in Ondo State, Aliu Yunusa, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
Yunusa was killed near Ilu-Abo junction, Akure South Local Government Area while going to his ranch.
Commander of Ondo Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said Yunusa was killed by individuals believed to be fellow Fulani herdsmen who attempted to rustle his cattle.
He said: “They had earlier kidnapped his wife, but he fought them off and retrieved her. Unfortunately, they (gunmen) returned, overpowered, and killed him while trying to steal his cows.
“A distress call was placed to the Amotekun Corps’ Ogbese outpost by fellow herdsmen who discovered Yunusa’s body at the scene.
“Upon arriving at the location, Amotekun officers found Yunusa’s body with multiple machete wounds.
“His motorcycle had also been set ablaze by the assailants.
“Our officers are combing the forest in search of these criminals
