AFTER 11 days in the captivity of kidnappers, a 70 year old clergyman in Ikare-Akoko area of Ondo state, Japhet Obafemi has regained his freedom.
Pastor Obafemi of the Apostolic Faith, Ilepa in Ikare-Akoko was ambushed by some suspected Fulani herdsmen.
He was abducted along Augu/Akunmu express road on his way from a church engagement in Kogi State.
His son was said to be driving his KIA SUV car when his abductors numbering about 13 reportedly ambushed him
The kidnappers later called the wife Olu that her husband is with them and that the family and the church should pay N16m as ransom.
Vanguard gathered that the family and the church were able to raise N300,000 but the kidnappers insisted they can’t go below N3m.
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They reportedly told the wife to sell his property and that of the church so as to pay for the ransom.
Vanguard however could not ascertain if the kidnappers ended up collecting the N300.000 or that the family and the church jerked it up.
But it was reliably gathered that the family parted with some “good money” before the Pastor was freed.
Police source said that the Pastor was seen at Ise-Akoko few kilometers from where he was kidnapped.
Narrating his ordeal, Pastor Obafemi who reportedly sustained injury on his head said that he trekked over six kilometers from the bush where he was released to Ise-Akoko.
His family members prevented him from going into details of how he was kidnapped and where he was taken to by his abductors.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had last week declared a three days fasting and prayer for the release of the abducted Pastor.
Speaking with newsmen, the chairman, Akoko North East Local Government Area of the state Alhaji Azeez Al-Amam expressed appreciation to journalists, security agencies and the state governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko for their efforts in ensuring the release of the clergyman.
Source: Vanguard
Source: Vanguard
