It has been reported that the kidnapers of the 25 choristers from CAC church in Ondo, have contacted the church and demanded N50 million ransom for their release.
The Regional Superintendent of CAC, Odubanjo Regional Headquarters, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, revealed that the church received a phone call from one of the victims with the demand.
The kidnapping occurred on the Owo-Ifon-Benin highway, as the choristers were en route to Ifon for a funeral service.
Hours after the incident, eight of the kidnapped victims were able to escape from their abductors, while security agencies in the State have begun a manhunt for the perpetrators towards rescuing the other victims.
Expressing optimism about the safe return of the kidnapped individuals, Pastor Akanmu told newsmen that the choir members were traveling to Ifon for a Christian wake in honor of their organist’s late father. The incident took place when the gunmen intercepted their vehicle on Friday evening.
He said, “I was called around 4 o’clock in the evening on Friday by someone who said that a bus belonging to the church was seen abandoned by the roadside around Elegbeka, and nobody was inside at the time.
“According to the caller, he suspects the passengers have been kidnapped, and so we started contacting our members and security agencies.
“One of those in captivity called to inform me that their abductors are demanding the sum of 50 million naira as ransom.
“One of the abductors also took the phone from him and said we must provide the 50 million naira immediately if we indeed love our members.
“Nine of the victims are currently with the abductors, while eight have regained their freedom, but we cannot ascertain the whereabouts of three other members.”
Meanwhile, the members of CAC Oke-Igan in Akure have responded to the situation with intense prayer.
Pastor Akanmu explained that since the kidnapping occurred on Friday, the church has been engaged in continuous prayer.
He expressed his faith that God will help the security agencies to rescue the nine individuals who are still missing and to apprehend the perpetrators.