SAN FRANCISCO, November 11, (THEWILL) – Four Catholic priests who were abducted on November 6 by unknown persons in Delta state and the Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State, Bisi Ogungbemi, have all regained their freedom.
The Nigeria Police, Delta Command, confirmed on Saturday that the priests were rescued near Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Police Commissioner , Muhammad Mustafa, the victims were rescued on Friday evening at a location he did not disclose.
Those rescued are: Rev. Fathers Victor Adigboluja of the Ijebu Ode Diocese; Anthony Otegbola, Abeokuta Diocese; Joseph Ediae, Benin Archdiocese; and Emmanuel Obadjere, Warri Diocese.
They were said to have been on their way to the Seminary of All Saints Uhiele-Ekpoma in Edo on November 6 when they were kidnapped.
The police boss, who earlier said that one of the suspects had been apprehended in connection with the crime, also assured that the police command was trailing the others.
He assured that the other suspects would be arrested and prosecuted.
“They were rescued on Friday and we are on the trail of the other suspects.
“We do not encourage ransom, so no ransom was paid,” Mr Mustafa said.
The captors had earlier demanded for N4 million as ransom to effect their release.
In the same vein, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo state, Femi Joseph, confirmed that Ogungbemi regained freedom from captivity in the late hours of Friday, two days after he was abducted along with four other persons by gunmen in the state.
The four persons have also been released by the kidnappers.
They include the ADC chairman’s driver and his special assistant, as well as two members of the party – Jide Ipinsagba and Princess Abdulkareem.
The party’s Publicity Secretary in Ondo, Mr Idowu Akinrinlola, also confirmed the development to Channels Televisionvia telephone chat.
Ogungbemi and the other victims were travelling to Akure town from Ikare-Akoko on Wednesday evening before they were abducted along the Oba-Akoko/Owo Road in the state.
