VAM News Update

A middle aged man and his teenage son have been apprehended by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping members of a church during a vigil in Osun State.

According to information made available by the Police Commissioner, Patrick Kehinde Longe, the man, Adamu Saliu and his 15-year-old son abducted the church worshippers at Osun area of the State.

Parading the duo and 14 other suspects arrested on Tuesday in Osogbo, the Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola said the suspected kidnappers were apprehended after they attacked a pentecostal church where worshipers were holding a vigil.

“The hoodlums, whose numbers could not be ascertained, stormed the church and shot sporadically to scare the worshippers away.

“The suspected kidnappers abducted some members of the church and allegedly sexually assaulted female members of the church in the process.

“The police on receiving information moved to the scene and combed the bushes leading to the arrest of three suspects, including a father and son,” she said.

Opalola appealed to church worshipers to be weary of attending vigils in remote areas to prevent ugly occurrences.

She added that all the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

Recounting her ordeal, one of the victims, Esther Ayodeji said the hoodlums invaded the church during their vigil at Messiah parish, Odu, Osun State.

“The marauders came at midnight; their mission was not to steal but abduction. All our mobile phones and other personal effects were not stolen,” she disclosed.

Saliu, who claims he is a farmer and Imam in Ilesa, however, denied any involvement in kidnapping.