The kidnapped pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) yesterday regained freedom from his abductors. Olawore and 14 other passengers of a commercial bus were kidnapped along Lanlate-Eruwa road last Friday in Oyo State.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who announced the cleric’s release in Ibadan yesterday, said: “Our people should be rest assured that our security apparatus in the state is fully alive and alert to their responsibilities”, adding: “The state government is monitoring and gauging the security situations within its boundary efficiently.
“Since the incident was reported, the government has been in close contact with the state Commissioner of Police, Hamzat Adebola, his team, and our security teams, and all parties have done the needful as usual to ensure the safety of lives and property of our citizens,” he added, restating that Oyo State remained the most peaceful state in the country.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command said it has commenced an investigation into the kidnapping of Olawore, and 14 others.
The Command Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, a Superintendent of Police (SP) in a text message yesterday, said the command had commenced an investigation into the incident. “Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly, please,” Osifeso said.
Olawore is a pastor at Heavens Gate Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 73, along Agbara-Lusada Road in Ogun. State
The cleric was returning from Ipapo town where he went to put the finishing touches to the burial ceremony of his mother, Deborah Olawore scheduled for April 26.
