The abducted Christian worshippers of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Uso community, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, have regained their freedom.
Last Wednesday, suspected gunmen invaded the church during a vigil and abducted the victims. The assailants reportedly stormed the worship centre on the busy Owo/Benin Expressway and marched the congregants into the bush. However, one of the victims escaped from the abductors shortly after the incident and an informant was nabbed by the police.
In a recent development, the four worshippers were released on Monday evening March 2 at Ilado community after their families reportedly paid a ransom of N5 million to the abductors.
A family member who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed their released and said the victims were freed barely a week after they were abducted at the church premises by the gunmen.
“The Christian worshippers have been released. They were freed this evening after we were able to raise N5 million for the abductors. In fact, they have been reunited with their family and I learnt some of them are also in the hospital receiving treatment as a result of their ordeal they face in the hands of the kidnappers” he said
The abductors had initially reached out to the family of the victims, demanding a ransom of N100 million before they would be set free.
The state police command spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the release to newsmen.