Victor Olaore Omoshehin, a cousin of Oluwaseyifunmi Oladapo, the Celestial Church shepherd abducted on Thursday, confirmed his freedom to FIJ on Saturday evening.

Omoshehin also told FIJ that security operatives were not involved in any form of rescue.

“My brother just spoke with me now. He narrated his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers, but he was not rescued by anyone,” Omoshehin shared.

“No police, no Amotekun and no OPC. He escaped by himself, yet Abiola was left with the kidnappers. The kidnappers asked for N1 million for his release.”

A police statement had initially claimed on Saturday morning that Oladapo was “rescued through the relentless combing of the forest by policemen, hunters, VGN and Amotekun”.

READ MORE: Police Falsely Claim Abducted Celestial Shepherd Has Been Freed

Omoshehin also shared a statement from the family describing Oladapo’s escape:

UPDATE ON THE SHEPHERD AND HIS ASSISTANT WHO WERE KIDNAPPED ON WASHING OF FEETS/HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE, OF THURSDAY 28TH OF MARCH, 2024

Oluso Oluwasegun Oluwaseyifunmi was kidnapped in the Church while he was on the pulpit preaching during the service alone with his assistant Cape Elder Bro. Abiola in the evening. The kidnappers called to inform the family that the Shepherd had escaped from their custody at 2 am midnight of Friday, 29th of March, 2024.

The Shepherd was confirmed to have escaped and in good health and mind. Against the update report from the Ogun State Police Command, which stated that the kidnapped Shepherd was released by the Police and the Amotekun and OPC Joint Military operation, that’s a big lie. NONE AMONG THE SECURITY AGENCIES LISTED PARTICIPATED IN RELEASING ANYONE, AS ABIOLA STILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY.

Oluso Seyi actually escaped by God’s helping hands without any Police, VGN, or Amotekun intervention. Right now, as we post this update, Cape Elder Bro. Abiola is still in the custody of the kidnappers.

They demanded a ransom of N10 million, which was negotiated down to N7 million. From N7 million, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N4 million and presented the mentioned 1 million naira as the last payment they will collect before the release of Abiola from their custody.

The Ogun State Police Command have not been able to assist with their rescue mission to release anyone from the kidnappers, but was quick to post lies to the public.

Please, as the family and parishioners of CCC Jehovah Shalom Parish, Oriyanrin Olowotedo, Ogun State are mobilising for the release of Cape elder bro. Abiola, we want you all to keep him in prayers for his release in good health and mind. Thank you.