Kidnapped Methodist priest regains freedom

A priest attached to the Methodist Church Nigeria ,kidnapped on his farm, at Kufi area, along Olorunda-Aba Road, Ibadan,  the   Oyo   State capital,  last  Thursday, has regained freedom after five days in the kidnappers’ den.

The diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Cathedral, Ibadan, Right  Reverend Amos Ajiboye, said Reverend (Dr)Biodun Ogunbekun, was released on Tuesday but he did not give details of how he was released or how the kidnappers contacted the church and his family.

The bishop said “Our priest was released to us on Tuesday. We are grateful to God and all those that made it possible. We shall be making further statement  soon. He is resting after what he had gone through in the hands of his abductors”.

Information made available to newsmen did not state if a ransom was paid to secure the release of the priest who is attached to Akobo-Ojurin branch of the church in Ibadan, or not.

However,  a source who pleaded anonymity, said the kidnappers demanded for N10 million from the family and the church before he could be released.

On the day he was kidnapped,  he was  on  the farm with two of his staff.

The bishop  said that when he was to leave the farm, a gunman forced his way in as the gate was opened. Four other gunmen also appeared and whisked away the priest into the surrounding bush on foot.

“We were told that the kidnapers did not come with any vehicle or motorcycle. They tried to take the  cleric  away in his truck but they could not for some reason. They, then, decided to whisk him away on foot,” he said.