24th December, 2013
Most Rev. Peter Akinola, retired primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, kidnapped Tuesday by an armed gang, has been rescued.
He was rescued along with his driver and daughter. Earlier reports only spoke about the Primate and his driver.
The Ogun State Police Command broke the news of the freedom of the respected clergy.
Muyiwa Adejobi,the Police Public Relations Officer, said the former primate was rescued following a shootout with the armed gang, who abducted him along with the others, as he made to leave his Foundation centre.
Adejobi, a superintendent of police said the gunmen were heading towards the border area with their victims.
But they gave themselves away after they shot at a police patrol around Iboro, Yewa North Local Government area of the state.
The policemen pursued them.
“We have rescued the primate, his daughter and driver. But the operation is still ongoing. We have more than 10 teams in the area now trying to find the suspects who escaped with the victims’ vehicle.”, said Adejobi.
“It was a war because it was not easy before we could rescue the man. We found out that apart from the man and his driver,one of his children was also in the vehicle.
“We have ten teams of Poicemen that participated in the rescue operation.The Command teams of SARS and the Police Military Force,PMF(Mobile) engaged the armed men at Shawonjo.
“Three of the teams were escorting the victims to their house and the remaining tams are still there in the bush because the place is wide.It would be too early to conclude that it was a kidnapping situation.The investigation is on going”,Adejobi narrated.