An Anglican priest from Ondo State, Canon Olowolagba, along with his wife and two children, has regained their freedom after being held captive by kidnappers for several days. The family was abducted on Sunday, December 22, along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State. The kidnapping occurred while the family was traveling from Ipesi to Ikaram, with the attackers demanding a hefty ransom for their release.
The Bishop of the Akoko Anglican Diocese, Babajide Bada, confirmed the incident, stating that the kidnappers initially requested N10 million but later raised the demand to N75 million. The distressing ordeal began between 4 pm and 5:30 pm, when Reverend Olowolagba, his wife, their 16-year-old daughter, Goodness Olowolagba, and a 9-year-old girl, identified as Idowu, were taken. The family’s absence went unnoticed until the following morning when church members realized they had failed to arrive at their destination.
For days, the abductors maintained contact with the family, continuously increasing their ransom demand. Despite efforts to gather funds, the situation grew more tense, with the family still in captivity as the days passed. The incident sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns about the rising wave of abductions in the region.
The family’s release late on Saturday brought a sense of relief, though the exact circumstances surrounding their freedom remain unclear. The commander of the state’s Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed that the priest and his family had been set free, marking the end of their harrowing ordeal. As of the time of reporting, authorities have not provided further details on whether any ransom was paid or how the family was eventually released.
The incident highlights the growing insecurity in the region, with religious leaders and residents alike calling for greater security measures to curb the rising tide of kidnappings. The Bishop of Akoko Diocese had earlier expressed his concerns about the safety of his congregation, noting that the attack was one of several similar cases in recent months.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help prevent further incidents of abduction.