An Anglican bishop, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, along with his wife and children, has been released after being kidnapped along Iboropa Road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State. Their freedom was secured on Saturday following intense efforts and the payment of a ransom.
According to family members, a significant amount of money—running into millions of naira—was paid to secure their release.
Contributions came from the family, the Anglican Church, and other organizations the victims were associated with.
Initially, the kidnappers demanded N75 million but eventually settled for N15 million after negotiations.
The Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada, shared details of the incident. He revealed that Rev. Olowolagba and his family were traveling from Ipesi to Isua Akoko when they were intercepted by the kidnappers between Isua and Ise-Akoko.
Their disappearance was discovered the next morning when they neither arrived at Ikaram nor returned home.
The victims included the bishop, his wife, a university-aged daughter studying at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), and a nine-year-old girl.
Local authorities, including the Amotekun Corps and hunters, launched a search operation. Chief Adetunji Adeleye, the Amotekun commander, confirmed their release to journalists over the weekend but did not provide details about how it was achieved.
