The choir members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, Akure, Ondo State, who were abducted a week ago, have narrated their ordeal in the kidnappers’ den.
The kidnapped victims said they were tortured by their abductors, who later released them after receiving a whopping N50 million ransom payment. Narrating their predicament to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, they disclosed that their abductors rejected a hefty N22 million taken to them, insisting on N50 million.
A church leader confirmed the release of the victims, adding that they were dropped at the same point they had been abducted but arrived in Akure around midnight.
“We had no choice but to look for the N50 million to give to them before our members were released. It was tough but we thank God, we were able to garner the amount,” a church leader said.
“The joy there’s that our members have regained their freedom and we’re not hurt except the beating they received when we were negotiating the ransom with the kidnappers.”
Pastor Benjamin Akande, the Regional Superintendent of the church’s Odubanjo Region, also confirmed the release of the choir members, and thanked God for the development.
He said most of the victims looked tired and weak.
“The joy there’s that our members have regained their freedom and we’re not hurt except the beating they received when we were negotiating the ransom with the kidnappers.”
Pastor Benjamin Akande, the Regional Superintendent of the church’s Odubanjo Region, also confirmed the release of the choir members, and thanked God for the development.
He said most of the victims looked tired and weak.
“They were subsequently taken to the hospital as they all look weak and frail and we rushed them to the police clinic in Akure. They are responding to treatment.”
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Akande attributed their release to the fervent prayers of the church, adding that a thanksgiving prayer session was held at the church last night.
While on a visit to the church, members of the state House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan, described the ugly incident as unfortunate.
“There’s a law put in place for kidnapping and it’s time to go back to the drawing board to find a way to review the law and see how it can be strengthened to ensure that the lives and property of the people of Ondo State are protected,” Akinruntan said.
He added that the Assembly would collaborate with the security agencies to put in place maximum security along the road to ensure the safety of commuters in and out of the state.
“There’s a law put in place for kidnapping and it’s time to go back to the drawing board to find a way to review the law and see how it can be strengthened to ensure that the lives and property of the people of Ondo State are protected,” Akinruntan said.
He added that the Assembly would collaborate with the security agencies to put in place maximum security along the road to ensure the safety of commuters in and out of the state.
Recall that 25 members of the church were abducted along Ifon-Benin Road while travelling for a burial ceremony.
Eight of them escaped on the second day of their abduction but the hoodlums demanded N50 million ransom for the release of the remaining 17 victims.
