Kidnapped Ibadan cleric regains freedom

A cleric, Rev. Biodun Ogunbekun, who was kidnapped on his farm at Kufi on the Olorunda-Aba road in Ibadan on Thursday, has regained freedom after five days in the kidnappers’ den.

Ogunbekun, a cleric with the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Akobo-Ojurin Diocese of Agodi, Ibadan, was kidnapped by five unknown gunmen.

But the Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Cathedral, Ibadan, Rt. Rev. Amos Ajiboye, on Wednesday, told newsmen that Ogunbekun was released on Tuesday.

He, however, did not give details of how he was released or how the kidnappers contacted the church and the priest’s family.

“We are grateful to God and all those that made it possible. We shall be making further statements in due time.

“He is resting after what he had gone through in the hands of his abductors,” he said.

It was not clear if a ransom was paid to secure the release of Ogunbekun.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, however, said the kidnappers demanded N10million from the family and the church before he would be released.