Kidnapped Ogun celestial church leaders regain freedom after giving N1m, cigarettes, rice to abductors

The two members of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Oshofa, Wasimi, in Ewekoro Local government area of Ogun state, who were abducted by gunmen who invaded the church on Monday, June 13, have been released.

The gunmen invaded the church, and abducted the assistant shepherd (assistant pastor) of the parish, Oluwaseun Ajose, and a Sunday school teacher, Dagunro Ayobami during a vigil, according to reports.

The founder of the church, Oluwatomisin Olugbebi, while confirming the release of the kidnap victims, said the church members were released on Saturday, June 18, adding that the gunmen reduced their demand from N50 million to N1 million, The Punch reports.

He said, “They called on Saturday morning, and demanded foodstuffs (specifically rice, and beans), cigarettes and gin.

“They asked us to pay N10 million for the two of them, however, I pleaded with them that we didn’t even have up to that, and they demanded for N1 million afterwards.

“When we heard this, the family of the victims had a meeting on how to get the money, and they raised a total of N221,000. Thankfully, well-wishers and other church members balanced it up.

“They did not give a specific location where we were supposed to drop the money. They only asked to speak to the sister of one of the victims, and told her to come to a certain location.

“When she got there, she called them and they told her to give the phone to the bike rider.

“They told the bike rider their location without disclosing it to her. The bike rider then took her to the location where the money, and the requested foodstuffs were dropped. After 10 minutes, they asked her to come and pick them (victims) up at the bus stop.”