Kidnapped Mother Of House Of Reps Regains Freedom

The abducted mother of Abiodun Abudu Balogun, a member House of Representatives representing Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency who was kidnapped on Monday, has finally regained freedom.

The release of the 72-year-old Alhaja Obedatu, according to his son, was due to the timely intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was gathered that her captors freed the kidnap victim on Thursday night.

It would be recalled that earlier this week, some heavily armed gunmen numbering six whisked away Balogun's mother from her home.

The gunmen were said to have stormed the Ita-Otu, Ijebu Waterside Local Government, residence of the mother of the lawmaker who is also the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Internal Security on Monday at about 9.30 pm and kidnapped the septuagenarian.

But Balogun, in a short statement sent via e-mail on Friday, confirmed the release of his mother.

The statement reads, "Hon. Abiodun Abudu Balogun has confirmed the release of his mother Alhaja Obedatu Abudu Balogun by the abductors.

"Hon Balogun and members of the family thank the Governor of the State his Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwai, the National Assembly, the security agencies, for being alive to their responsibilities, the religious organisations for their prayers and the ACN party leaders and all the good people of Ogun State."

Asked whether a ransom was paid before the release of his mother, the lawmaker kept mum.

He said that members of his family had earlier vowed not to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir if their matriarch had not regained her freedom.


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