*Abductors demanding N10m ransom
*Investigation is in progress – Oyo Police Command
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and other passengers in a 14-seater commercial bus were on Thursday abducted by suspected kidnappers in Ipapo, Oyo State.
New Nigerian gathered that the abductors are now demanding N10 million as ransom on those in their custody.
It was learnt that the RCCG pastor, identified as Olugbenga Olawore, together with others in the 14-seater bus were traveling to Lagos along the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road when the suspected kidnappers accosted their bus at about 5pm.
The gunmen were said to have overpowered all the passengers including the pastor and reportedly led them into the bush
Sources said the abducted Pastor was returning from Ipapo town where he as reported to have concluded arrangements for the burial of his late mother fixed for the weekend in the town
The source said the abducted pastor is in charge of Heavens Gate Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 73, along Agbara-Lusada Road, Ogun State.
According to a family source, the kidnappers called the pastor’s wife at about 8pm on Thursday and allowed him to talk to her with the pastor said to be confirming to the wife that he was kidnapped with others.
The abducted pastor was also said to have informed his wife that the abductors were demanding N10 million as ransom for his release.
The family source said the kidnappers again called the pastor’s wife on Friday at about 9a.m, with the pastor reportedly begging his wife to raise money for the ransom even if it was N1 million.
He was said to have emphasized that the wife should raise the money as the only option to stop his abductors from killing him, having already killed some of those abducted together with him.
It was learnt that at this juncture, the kidnappers cut off the phone call with all efforts by the wife to call back failed as the line had been switched off.
The pastor’s relatives were said to have reported the matter at the police station in the town where they met family members of others abducted in the 14 seater bus during which they learnt that the police have recovered the abandoned commercial bus with some phones belonging to the abducted passengers in the bus.
When contacted, the Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso assured that, “Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly”
