•Bandits
The abducted Christian worshippers of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Uso community, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, have regained their freedom, it has just been learnt.
The four worshippers were released yesterday evening at Ilado community after their families reportedly paid a ransom of N9 million to the abductors, reports The Nation.
A source close to the family, who crafted anonymity, confirmed their release to our reporter in a brief chat last night.
He said the victims were freed about a week after they were abducted at the church premises by the gunmen.
“The Christian worshippers have been released. They were freed this evening after we were able to raise N5 million for the abductors.
“In fact, they have been reunited with their families and I learnt some of them are also in the hospital receiving treatment as a result of their ordeal they faced in the hands of the kidnappers,” he said.
The abductors had initially reached out to the family of the victims, demanding a ransom of N100 million before they would be set free.
Jimoh Abayomi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state confirmed the release of the victims when contacted.
DSP Abayomi, however, promised to get back with details of their release.
But he was yet to get back as of press time.
Recall that on Wednesday, suspected gunmen invaded a parish of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) at Uso in Owo LGA of the state abducting the Christian worshippers during a church service held at the midnight.
The assailants reportedly stormed the worship centre located on the busy Owo/Benin Expressway and forcibly marched the congregants into the bush.
However, one of the victims escaped from the abductors shortly after the incident and an informant was nabbed by the police.
Their release comes amid earlier controversy over police claims that the suspects had been arrested and one victim rescued but the claims were publicly disputed by the families, who insisted that all the victims were still in captivity at the time.
A few days ago; a couple, Jamiu Olawale and his wife were attacked and kidnapped at the entrance of their residence in Akure North LGA. sparking protests by residents over repeated kidnappings and killings in the area.
The couple were later released after they allegedly paid five million Naira as ransom.
Similarly, a traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamo of Agamo, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state was last week Wednesday killed by gunmen at his palace during a foiled kidnap attempt.
