The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Jebba, Kwara State, his wife and driver has been reported kidnapped by gunned men. The Police Command in Oyo State says that the command has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of Oluwaseun Aderogba. This was stated by the Public Relations officer of the Police in the state, Adewale Osifeso, when confirming the incident in a statement on Monday.
It was reported by the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) that Mr. Aderogba, his wife and the driver were kidnapped on Sunday the 12th of June2022 at around 9:00 pm on the New Oyo/Ogbomoso highway. This is coming merely two weeks after the kidnapping of Methodist prelate Samuel Kanu-Uche and two others. According to Kanu-Uche, before his release, the kidnappers collected the sum of N100 million.
According to the reports from the Anglican bishop’s chaplain, who is said to have been with the victims at the time of the attack, their vehicle had a breakdown a few kilometers from Oyo, on their way from Ogun state to Jebba, while they waited for help to arrive, they were accosted by some armed men who had come out from the surrounding mountains. The young man counted himself lucky as he was out of sight wearing a black cassock and lying face down on the ground.
The PPRO said preliminary investigations revealed that while traveling from Yewa, Ogun State, to Jebba, Kwara State, and the victim’s vehicle allegedly developed a mechanical failure on an isolated area on the New Oyo/Ogbomoso Highway. He said that the Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of Command Operations was in charge of the rescue operation that began at 9:00 am this Sunday.
Mr. Osifeso in his report said that all tactical teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Ambush Squad, Puff Adder, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Commando Conventional Police personnel, along with hunters and vigilantes locals, were involved in rescue operations.
He went on to say that an investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was simultaneously being vigorously carried out to ensure that the victims were rescued unharmed.
He also urged that members of the public get involved in the process as well, by reporting any suspicious movements to the nearest police division or formation, and assured the general public of their safety, while carrying out their lawful activities.
