Gunmen Abduct RCCG Pastor, Other Bus Passengers In Oyo |Omohglobalnews

 

A pastor with Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, identified as Olugbenga Olawore, and other passengers of a 14-seater bus have been kidnapped in Oyo State. It was gathered that the cleric and other passengers of the bus were abducted on Friday. According to reports, the bus was en route Lagos State. Olawore is a pastor at Heavens Gate Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 73, along Agbara-Lusada Road in Ogun State.

According to reports, the incident happened on Friday around 5 pm at the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road. The cleric was returning from Ipapo town, where he went to put the final touches on the burial arrangements for his mother. The burial of the pastor’s mother, Deaconess Deborah Olawore, was said to have been scheduled to commence with a Christian wake next week Friday, April 26, while the burial was slated for Friday, May 3rd.

As the bus conveying the passengers approached the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road, a group of daredevil, heavily armed men, dressed in military uniforms, suddenly emerged from the bush and blocked the road. The passengers were caught off guard, and before they could react, the armed men had surrounded the bus, shooting sporadically into the air.

The sound of gunfire echoed through the air as the kidnappers fired shot after shot, striking fear into the hearts of the passengers. The passengers were ordered to come down from the bus, and as they did, they were rounded up and marched into the bush. The armed men were shouting and beating the passengers, causing chaos and panic.

One of the passengers, who managed to escape, described the scene as "hellish." "I was sitting near the back of the bus when the armed men attacked," he said. "I saw them beating and kicking the other passengers, and I knew I had to escape. I managed to slip away and run into the bush, but I could hear the screams and cries of the other passengers."

Some of the victims who managed to escape were shot and injured. One eyewitness reported seeing vehicles riddled with bullets, with doors open and passengers nowhere to be found. "I saw at least three vehicles with bullet holes and open doors, but there was no sign of the passengers," the eyewitness said. "It was a terrifying scene."

Family members of the kidnapped victims have identified some of those taken as Mrs Adewumi Idowu, Mr Kareem Ibiade, and Mrs Abimbola Funmilola Omokungbe.

Oyo State’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the kidnapping case to newsmen but said that some of them had been rescued. The PPRO disclosed that police operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies and local hunters, were in the forest and surrounding areas of the incident to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the suspects.

He said, “Some of the rescued victims are assisting with useful leads that can help the investigation. All routes around the area, including the adjoining forest areas, are being combed. “Investigation is ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly.”