Abductors Of Priest, Wife, Two Children, In Ondo Demand For N75 Million Ransom

By Ayodele Oni

An Anglican Cleric, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and two children have been kidnapped along Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government area of Ondo State.

The Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada confirmed the incident  on Saturday.

Bada 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 (AAUA), 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 called to ask for a million naira ransom. And we said that’s very unreasonable.

“Later, they said N10 million. But when we gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed to another million. That is why the Reverend and the wife, including the two children are still there.”

However, the Bishop said the kidnappers had insisted on a N75 million ransom before they could set free the victims.