Kidnapped Osun Methodist Cleric, 2 Others Regain Freedom

A pastor of the  Methodist Church, Very Rev Kayode Akande,  and two other church members, who  were kidnapped on Sunday night,  at a town called Telemu,  along Iwo-Osogbo road,  in Osun State by suspected Fulani herdsmen have been set free. 

The Methodist Bishop of Osogbo diocese, Rt. Revd. Amos  Ogunrinde confirmed to our reporter on Friday that Akande, alongside two other brethren,  namely: Mr. Bankole, who is an engineer and Mr. Omodunbi were released on Thursday by the suspected Fulani herdsmen. 

The trio was kidnapped on Sunday night by suspected herdsmen while returning to Osogbo from a meeting held in Ile-Ogbo, a community near Iwo, in Osun State.

Speaking, Rev Ogunrinde said the abductees suffered serious torture in the hands of their abductors before they eventually regained their freedom. 

He adduced their release to an invisible hands of God through prayers from the church and many others who shared in their grief. 

The clergy however remained silent on whether  ransom was paid to secure the release of his members,  saying he could neither confirm nor deny it. 

“I can confirm it to you that the pastor and two other members who were kidnapped have been released on Thursday night,  we are happy to receive them alive. 

“Although they were seriously beaten,  yet we thank God for their life. 

“On whether ransom was paid or not,  I can’t definitely say anything on it,  it is the Treasurer of the church that is in charge of finance, mine is strictly spiritual. 

It was however gathered from reliable source within the church hierarchy that ransom was paid in millions to secure the release of those individuals from their abductors. 

“The kidnappers first demanded for N20m(Twenty Million Naira)  but the leadership of the church,  with the help from our headquarters later appealed to them and eventually settled at N5m(Five million naira)”.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had in a programme assured the people of the state that the state government would do everything within its power to rescue them.

Aregbesola assured the public to be patient and hopeful as they would be rescued soon.

He also assured that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law by the appropriate authorities.

Aregbesola gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving in audience the country director of African Development Bank (ADB), Abrima Faal at the Government House, Oke Fia.

“The kidnap of the clergy and two other prominent members of the church are unexpected and sudden, however, Osun remains one of the most secure states in Nigeria despite the incident.” Aregbesola added.