17 abducted CAC choir members freed after ransom payment
17 remaining choristers of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) choir, Oke Igan, Akure in Ondo State, who were abducted last Friday by gunmen, have been freed but only after paying the ransom demanded by their captors.
It would be recalled that the Police Command in Ondo had earlier confirmed that eight members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) choir were able to escape when gunmen ambushed their bus along the Owo/Ose axis of the state abducting an initial 25 persons.
Following the escape of eight choristers from the attackers, 17 members of the church choir now remain with the gunmen.
Ondo Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the attack on members of the church choir, also added that choristers they were rescued by police operatives.
“Eight victims rescued; effort is on to rescue others, unhurt.
“The rescued victims said they are members of CAC Oke Igann, Akure.
“They were on their way to a burial wake, on getting to Ajagbale via Elegbeka on ifon/ Owo expressway they, were accosted by five unknown gunmen who shot sporadically and forcefully took them in to the bush,” the police image-maker noted.
The mobile phones of the escapees were confiscated by the marauders.
25 choristers were reportedly waylaid on Friday afternoon while on their way for a funeral outing at the home of a member’s parent’s burial in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
They were reportedly abducted on Friday afternoon while journeying along the notoriously deplorable Ifon road.
The vehicle said to be conveying the kidnapped choir members was later seen abandoned on the roadside by the kidnappers after herding the victims into the woods.
However, seven days after their abduction, the remaining victims were released by their abductors after a huge sum of money was reportedly paid as ransom to the kidnappers.
A member of the church, who disclosed that they had been released, said the victims were brought to the church premises by the negotiating team late Thursday.
The source said the victims have since been reunited with their families.
The spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami- Omisanya, also confirmed their freedom.
