Bandits free Methodist priest, two others after four days in captivity

The Methodist Church in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has confirmed the release, on Thursday, of its priest and two others abducted along Iwo-Ibadan road last Sunday, June 10, by suspected bandits, on Thursday, June 14.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the church said the kidnapped persons, who are members of the church, were released on Thursday night around 8.20p.m.Bishop of the Methodist Church, Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. Amos Ogunrinde, said the priest, Rev. Kayode Akande, and the two other abducted leaders of the church had been released and reunited with their families, but did not disclosed if any ransom was paid before the men were released by the bandits.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officers, Mrs. Folashade Odoro, said the Police would release a statement about the whole incident later.The priest and two elders of the church were kidnapped on Sunday while returning from a men’s fellowship in Ile-Ogbo, near Iwo.The Police were reported to have deployed men and officers to rescue the victims, while the bandits were never reported to have contacted their families to demand for ransom.