Recall how church choir members were kidnapped while traveling down the Ifon-Benin road at a funeral service.
After eight of the 25 victims were abducted narrowly escaped from the kidnappers’ cave last Saturday, the kidnappers wanted N50 million in ransom for the release of the remaining 17 hostages.
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A church member in Akure told reporters on Friday that the remaining victims were freed by their captors late on Thursday night following the payment of a ransom.
The church member claimed that a sizable sum of money was paid as ransom by the church and the victims’ families before they were freed.
He stated: “At 11:47 p.m., the church’s negotiating team returned to the church’s Akure premises with the remaining victims.”
Abayomi Akinruntan, the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, headed the leadership delegation that visited the church and referred to the situation as regrettable.
According to Akinruntan, there is already a law against abduction, but it’s time to revisit it and consider ways to enhance it so that the lives and property of the people of Ondo State are safeguarded.
In order to ensure that the highest level of protection is put in place along the road so that individuals traveling into and out of Ondo State may do so safely, he further stated that the House will also coordinate with the security agencies.
Pastor Benjamin Akande, the regional superintendent of the church for the Odubanjo Region, expressed his gratitude for the team’s visit.
Since the heinous act took place, Akande claimed that the church has been constantly praying for the victims’ release.