Ex-Anglican Primate Akinola rescued from kidnappers


Unknown gunmen yesterday kidnapped the immediate past Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Peter Jasper Akinola.

Primate Akinola and his driver were snatched away by the gunmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital at about 3pm.

The Primate and his driver were last night rescued from the kidnappers along Joga-Iboro Road near the border with Benin Republic, the police said.

In what would have been one of the biggest cases of abduction, the 69-year-old former fiery cleric was overpowered by the gun-totting men at the entrance of the Peter Akionola Foundation Centre for youth Industrial Training at Kilometre 10 near Obada-Oko along the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway.

The former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) hails from Abeokuta. He was at the centre – which he founded to take care of the underprivileged – to inspect some projects within the office when the gunmen stormed the place.

The gunmen reportedly stopped the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) inside which he was and ordered him and his driver out, pointing guns at them.

They reportedly shot sporadically into the air before escaping with the cleric, his driver and his car.

The abductors had not established any contact with the family as at last night.

The police cautioned against referring to the incident as kidnapping. But they confirmed that the Archbishop, who will turn 70 next month, was taken away by armed one.

The CAN last night condemned the abduction of the primate.

CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor, Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kenny Ashaka said:

“It is totally unacceptable to us that Primate Jasper Akinola is kidnapped. This is a retired man of God and we wonder what kind of money the kidnappers want to get from a retired man of God. We believe that this kidnapping is for ransom.

“We plead with the kidnappers to release him unconditionally and use the occasion of Christmas celebration to reflect on Christ’s eternal message of love, passion and humility. They should release him immediately.

“Instead of kidnapping men of God, the kidnappers should pray for leaders, whether religious or political.

“We are also calling on security agencies to quickly swing into action and help to track down these kidnappers. They should also ensure that Primate Akinola is not harmed while rescuing him.”

Last Sunday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta during the Ogun State Carol Service of Nine Lessons, Rev. Akinola read the third lesson in Yoruba.

Association Chairman Gbenga Gbesan told reporters that Rev. Akinola needed not be subjected to such experience because, he always fought for the poor.

Gbesan said: “We appeal for the immediate release of the revered Primate without any condition attached to it whatsoever.

“And it was for this reason that he set up the Youth Industrial Training Centre to train unemployed youth to acquire skills to enable them lived a meaningful life.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told reporters in a telephone interview that it was early in the day to describe the incident as kidnapping, adding that security agencies had been placed on the alert.

Adejobi said: “The fact that gunmen went away with the Bishop, his driver and his vehicle does not connote kidnap.

“Our men at the border have been placed on the red alert, he said promising that Rev. Akinola would be recovered alive.”

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