Gunmen kidnap Anglican bishop, wife, driver in Oyo

Gunmen have abducted Oluwaseun Aderogba, the Anglican bishop of Jebba diocese, Kwara, his wife and driver along the new Oyo/Ogbomoso expressway, Oyo state.

The incident was said to have happened around 8:30pm on Sunday.

Adewale Osifeso, Oyo police spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, said investigations revealed that abduction took place after the cleric’s vehicle developed a mechanical fault at an isolated area along Oyo/Ogbomoso expressway while the victims were heading for Jebba from Yewa, Ogun state.

Osifeso said the command has mobilised its officers, local hunters and vigilantes to carry out rescue operations.

“On Sunday 12/06/2022 at about 2100HRS, One Rev. Adekunle Adeluwa reported to the command at Atiba Divisional Police Headquarters, Oyo town that at about 2030HRS, One Bishop Rt. Rev Aderogba of Jebba Diocese, Kwara State in the company of his wife and driver were abducted,” the police spokesperson said.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the victim’s vehicle developed what seemed a mechanical fault while traveling from Yewa, Ogun State to Jebba, Kwara state enroute an isolated area along new Oyo/Ogbomoso expressway.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations of the Command is in charge of the rescue operation has commenced since 2100HRS of Sunday 12/06/2022.

“All the tactical teams of the command anti-kidnapping squad, ambush squad, puff adder, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), and Conventional Police personnel along with local hunters and vigilantes are all involved in the rescue operations.

“Meanwhile, the discreet investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is simultaneously being vigorously embarked upon to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt.”

In May, Samuel Kanu, prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN), was kidnapped by gunmen in Abia state. The cleric was released 24 hours later after the payment of N100 million ransom.