Posted by On Tuesday, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ondo State demanded that the state government and security forces immediately free the choristers from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Oke-Igan, Akure.
Reverend Father Anselm Ologunwa, the Chairman of CAN in Ondo State, recently voiced his dismay over the persistent kidnappings that have occurred in the Ifon axis of the Ose Local Government Area and called for immediate action to stop the crime.
Ologunwa said that kidnapping the 25 choir members violates basic human decency.
Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, the Reverend Father, paid a condolences visit to the Regional Superintendent of CAC, assuring him that all Christians in the state are praying and working together to free the kidnapped choristers.
The CAN chairman added that those guilty for the atrocity would be punished by God.
Ologunwa also expressed his gratitude to the church, security forces, and the victims’ families for their strength and perseverance in the wake of the tragedy.
He recognized the group’s efforts to secure the return of the kidnapped singers.
Pastor Akanmu, CAC Regional Superintendent, explained that the choir was on its way to Ifon to attend the wake for the church organist’s father, who passed away last Friday.
He said that a group of five kidnappers ambushed them on a broken down stretch of road.
The pastor of the CAC said that the kidnappers opened fire on the van the singers were in before dragging them into the neighboring bush.
He continued by saying that eight of the choristers escaped from their captors thanks to God’s intervention.
However, the accused kidnappers continue to hold the remaining victims hostage.
In addition, Pastor Akanmu disclosed that the kidnappers asked for N50 million in ransom from the church and the families of the missing choristers.