Andrew and Margaret Jonah, a couple, have been saved by Osun State Police Command personnel.
According to Yemisi Opalola, the police command’s spokesperson, the couple was rescued from the kidnappers’ hideout in a forest in Osun.
According to reports, they were taken by the kidnappers as they entered the church for the vigil.
According to Opalola, “The kidnappers engaged police operatives in a gun duel during the rescue operation.
“One of the kidnapers died during the faceoff and we recovered a gun from the kidnapers.”
She warned residents to be mindful of their movement by avoiding lonely areas at night so as not to fall prey.
Giving their own account of their experience, the couple said they spent days in captivity without food or water before policemen led by SP. Moses Lohor, the Commander, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, rescued them from the kidnapers.
“The kidnappers threatened to kill us and use our remains for ritual unless our relatives pay ransom.
“The firing power of the policemen overwhelmed the kidnapers. They abandoned me and my husband and ran away to avoid arrest.
“As we were hearing gunshots, the kidnappers abandoned us and ran away. Then, we heard people calling my husband’s name. My husband answered them when we realised that they were the policemen that came to rescue us.
“We are grateful to men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of Osun State Police Command for rescuing us,” Margaret said.
Recall that a couple travelling on a motorcycle along Iragbiji/Kelebe road to attend a vigil in their church in Osogbo on Friday night were abducted by unknown gunmen who barricaded the road.
Opalola who had confirmed the abduction stated that the police had swung into action with the intention of rescuing the victims.