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By Abiodun OBA
The gunmen who abducted 25 choir members of the CAC Oke Igan, in Akure, Ondo state, are demanding a ransom of Fifty million naira from both the church and family members for their release.
The Regional Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church, in Akure, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, made this known when the Chairman of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Revd Fr Anselm Ologunwa, paid him a sympathy visit.
Akanmu explained that the choristers were on their way to Ifon to celebrate with the church organist at the burial wake keep of his father last Friday.
According to Akanmu, the kidnappers, a five-man gang appeared to them at one of the failed portions of the road and ordered them into the bush after firing at their vehicle.
He said through God’s intervention, eight of them regained their freedom while the remaining ones are still with the abductors.
Akanmu said the church has been experiencing a beehive of different people and sympathizers since the incident happened.
The cleric pointed out that the church has strong faith in God, hence the reason for the commencement of prayers since Friday.
Akanmu, added that “I believe God will help the security agencies to rescue the 9 individuals still in captivity and apprehend the perpetrators of the criminal act.
Earlier, Chairman of the state chapter of CAN, Revd Fr Anselm Ologunwa, condemned the incessant and recent kidnapping of innocent people along the notorious lpele/ lfon highway.
He called on the state government and security agencies to as a matter of urgency secure the release of the victims.
The cleric said the kidnapping and abduction of the “choristers from the church was an act of wickedness and the perpetrators will surely receive the wrath of God.
He expressed disappointment towards the alarming rate of insecurity and other social vices across Nigeria just as he urged the Christian community not to relent in their prayers for the nation and the leaders.
Ologunwa appealed to the state government to ensure that all the failed portions along the road are urgently repaired to forestall future occurrence.
The chairman who commended the state government’s efforts at curtailing kidnapping and criminality however called for intensified efforts on its part and that of the security agencies.
The cleric also applauded the various efforts put in place since the ugly incident by the church, the security agencies and the families of the victims, assuring them of the total support of all Christians in the state towards their release.
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