Police Confirms Release Of Two Abducted Church Members

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of two kidnapped  Baptist church members.

The victims identified as Samuel Oladotun and Fashola Tobiloba were kidnapped in Ileogbo, headquarters of Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had on Tuesday issued a directive to the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to commence tracking in order to secure the release of the kidnap victims who are members of the Osun State Baptist Conference.

According to the Command, they were released on Wednesday after a ransom of N6 million was paid.

Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson of the command confirmed their release in a statement in Osogbo.

"I am glad to inform us that the first two kidnapped Amb. Samuel Oladotun and Fashola Tobiloba have been released.

“To God alone be all the glory. Thankyou all for your support so far in prayer and please let’s continue to pray for the release of the other two that are still with them.

"Thank you indeed for your support in prayer, we can still pray more.”

It was gathered that the victims along with seven others were returning from their farm on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, when their vehicle, a bus, was attacked by the gunmen around Oke-Osun area of the town at about 5:30pm.

The kidnappers demanded for N25 million ransom but the family was able to raise a sum of N6 million.

However, on Monday when three people took the ransom money to them in Kogi state, they were also held where the kidnappers renegotiated with the family to pay a sum of N24 million before they would be released.

The kidnappers released the first two abducted victims while one of the ransom-bearers who went to Kogi for the payment was later freed late on Tuesday night.

Following the release of the three abductees, only two persons still remained in the kidnappers’ den.