Gunmen have abducted Rev. Canon Olowolagba, a Bishop of the Anglican Church, along with his family on the Ise Akoko/Iboropa Road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, December 22, involved the cleric, his wife, their two children, and a nine-year-old girl who was living with the family. The victims were reportedly waylaid and taken into the bush by the assailants while traveling.
Details of the Abduction
According to reports, one of the children, identified as Goodness Olowolagba, is a 100-level student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) and was home for the Christmas holiday when the abduction took place.
Confirming the incident, Bishop Babajide Bada of the Akoko Anglican Diocese stated that the family was traveling from Ipesi through Isua Akoko when the gunmen struck.
“The unfortunate incident happened last week [Sunday] between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.,” Bishop Bada told journalists in Akure on Saturday, December 28.
He further described the sequence of events:
“He (Olowolagba) was traveling from Ipesi with his wife, Mrs. Olowolagba; their 16-year-old daughter, Goodness Olowolagba, a 100-level student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), who came for a holiday at home; and a nine-year-old girl staying with them, identified as Idowu.
“They drove from Ipesi through Isua Akoko, and when they got to between Isua and Ise-Akoko, they were kidnapped. We did not know about the incident until the following morning, when their members discovered that they didn’t get to Ikaram, where they were going.”
Community and Police Response
The kidnapping has sparked outrage and concern within the Akoko community, with calls for urgent action from security agencies. At the time of reporting, no group has claimed responsibility, and the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.
Efforts by the authorities to secure the release of the abducted family are ongoing. Meanwhile, local leaders and church members have urged the public to pray for their safe return while emphasizing the need for improved security in the region.
This latest incident underscores the growing insecurity in Ondo State, where kidnapping for ransom has become a troubling trend.
