The abductors of the Bishop of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev Oluwaseun Aderogba of Jebba Diocese in Kwara State North Central Nigeria, have demanded N50m ransome before they release him.
Aderogba was kidnapped with his wife and driver on Sunday evening along Ogbomoso-Oyo Expressway, Oyo State.
The Kwara State Diocese, Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Sunday Adewole confirmed the abduction of the clergy and his co-travellers.
The Bishop’s kidnap comes after that of the Catholic Priest of St. Anthony Parish, Angware Community in the Jos East Local Area of Plateau State, Rev. James Kantoma on Monday.
The Police said the couple was kidnapped while fixing their vehicles which developed a mechanical fault on a journey from Jebba, Kwara State to Yewa in Ogun State.
The incident happened around the isolated portion of the Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.
The Bishop’s chaplain, who was with the victims, said: “We were travelling from Jebba to Oyo when it was a few kilometres to Oyo, our vehicle developed a fault. My Lord Bishop called the Lord Bishop of Oyo, Bishop Aladekugbe, for help.
However, before the help surfaced, some armed men surrounded them had ordered them into the bush. I was lucky I was not visible because of my black cassock, I fell flat on my belly to hide while they Bishop
Bishop Aladekugbe rose to the occasion to alert the leadership of the church, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba and other members of the House of Bishops.
“It took hours to hear from the abductors through the wife of the bishop whom they allowed to speak in few seconds with one of the bishops, asking for N50m ransom.”
In a statement by Oyo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Osifeso Adewale, he said Rev. Adekunle Adeluwa reported to the Command through an incidental report at Atiba Divisional Police Headquarters, Oyo town at about 8:30 pm (local time)
Osifeso said “The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations of the Command is in charge of the rescue operation that has commenced since 2100HRS of Sunday 12th June 2022.
“All the tactical teams of the Command Anti-Kidnapping squad, Ambush Squad, Puff Adder, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Conventional Police personnel along with local hunters and vigilantes are all involved in the rescue operations.
He maintained that discreet investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was simultaneously been vigorously embarked upon to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt.”
Dominica Nwabufo
