The police command in Oyo says it has begun a manhunt for the kidnappers of an Anglican bishop Oluwaseun Aderogba of Jebba diocese in Kwara, his wife and driver.

The spokesperson for the command, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Mr Aderogba, his wife and driver were kidnapped at about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday on the New Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway.

According to the police officer, preliminary investigations revealed that the victims’ vehicle had a mechanical fault at an isolated area in the Oyo-Ogbomosho area while travelling from Yewa in Ogun to Jebba in Kwara.

Mr Osifeso added that all the tactical teams of the command’s 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, were all involved in the rescue operations.

He further said that a discreet investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was embarked upon to ensure that the victims were rescued unhurt.

He urged public members to report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station, credible and timely information and assured the general public of their safety as they went about their lawful activities. 

The bishop’s chaplain, who was with the victims when the incident happened, said the vehicle the cleric, his wife and driver were travelling in had a mechanical issue and before help could come, some armed men came from a bush and surrounded them.

He said he was not visible because his black cassock fell flat on the ground to hide while the kidnappers matched the bishop, his wife and driver into the bush.

(NAN)