Kidnapped Rev. Elkanah MK Ayuba and Rev Simon D. Ezra have finally regained their freedom from their abductors.
The released clerics were among the persons kidnapped in the Yorro local government council of Taraba State, a few days before last Christmas.
Announcing their release through a press statement on Thursday, the Bishop of United Methodist Church Nigeria, UMCN, Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah, said a huge ransom was paid by the church to secure their freedom.
The church had earlier threatened to resort to self defense if both the state and federal governments continued to be lukewarm toward the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Taraba.
Although the amount paid as ransom was not made public by the church, the bishop earlier expressed sadness that despite paying N11 million to secure the release of the clergy men, their abductors still held them hostage.
At the time of filing this report, it is not clear whether the church added to the N11 million paid earlier.
A source from the church who confided in a OsunDailyNG correspondent, said “as the bishop has earlier disclosed, N11 million was earlier taken to kidnappers as ransom in order for them to released our clergies that were in their custody.
“But after that, we never heard from the kidnappers again, and our Reverend gentle men were not released to us.”
The source could not confirm the exact amount paid to secure the clergymen’s release.
“For sure, I know that a huge amount of money was paid as ransom, but to be honest with you, I can’t tell the exact amount that was involved. Our happiness is that they have regained their freedom, and they are back to the church and to their family members unhurt. So, we give thanks to God,” he added.
