An Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Sheik Taofeeq Akewugbagold, has narrated how he recovered his 28-month-old twins from their abductors at 5.30am yesterday.
The twins were released eight days after some gunmen abducted them at their father’s residence at Ojoo, Ibadan, on April 25.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the release was secured through spirited efforts of police personnel.
Akewugbagold had earlier said the abductors, whom he observed spoke in fluent English that showed they were well read, demanded a ransom of £100,000 to secure the release of the children.
The cleric, who is the immediate past Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing), was on his way to the studio penultimate Saturday, to record his Ramadan sermon, when his twins were kidnapped.
He wouldn’t disclose whether a ransom was paid and the role of the security agencies before the release was secured.
Breaking the news on the social media, he wrote, “Alhamudulilaih! At 5.30am on Sunday May 3, my abducted twin kids were released to me beside a bush after eight days in an unknown land.
“Thank you all for your prayers and support. My treasure dropped in the water but God located it and brought it back to me.”
He added, ”We have been exchanging conversations with the abductors. We were begging them on a daily basis to reduce the ransom. They asked for £100,000 (about N55 million). Since then, we have been begging them. The abductors spoke good English, suggesting they are graduates.”
The twins’ mother had been seen crying and pleading in a viral video for the release of the children.
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