Church members abducted during vigil in Ondo

Members of a church in Akure, Ondo State capital, were kidnapped while holding a vigil service on Wednesday.

A six-month old baby and the pastor of the church were among those kidnapped in the operation.

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Operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo announced the arrest of the gang behind the incident.

The suspect, who reportedly disguised as a woman, was arrested in a nearby bush after he invaded the church located in Edo lodge area of Akure with members of his gang.

Amotekun State commander, Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspect, Igbekele, was arrested on the spot while others escaped.

He said they rescued three women from the kidnappers including the female pastor and the six months old baby.

The commander also paraded 21 others who specialised in kidnapping, stealing and selling of Indian hemp as well as a gang which specialise in stealing phones using motorcycles.

He added that about three hundred motorcycles and vehicles were impounded during the corps operations in the last two weeks.

Adeleye also said that a gang which operates using private cars as taxis were among those paraded.

He also raised the alarm that bandits were planning to attack some financial institutions in the state, adding that they are working with other sister agencies to tackle the matter.