JUST-IN: Gunmen Kidnap Anglican Cleric, Wife, Daughter, 1 Other In Ondo

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped an Anglican priest, his wife, daughter and another girl, in Akoko North-East local government area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the cleric, identified as Rev. Canon Olowolagba and his family members were abducted along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa Road in the Akoko area of the state while travelling by the road.

A source, who hinted LEADERSHIP about the incident, disclosed that the abductors of the cleric and his family members were demanding a ransom of ₦75 million for their release.

Confirming the development, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada, said the incident happened last Sunday, December 22, 2024, between 4pm and 5:30pm.

According to him, “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.

“Amotekun is working because we have reported the matter at the Amotekun office in Akure. And they are 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.”

But when contacted, Ondo State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, denied that the matter was reporter to Police authorities. “We do not have such a story, nothing of such was reported,” she stated.

However, the Commandant of the Ondo State local security outfit codenamed Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the incident.

Adeleye, who said the incident didn’t just happen but since last week, assured that, “Amotekun Corps is working with other security agencies on the incident.”