Olugbenga Olawore, a pastor of the Redeem Christian Church of God, who was kidnapped at the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa road in Oyo State regained his freedom, on Sunday.

NigeriaUpdates reported that Olawore and a few others were kidnapped, on Thursday, at the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa road, all within the state boundary.

The state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, made this known in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, on Sunday.

He said, “Our people should be rest assured that our security apparatus in the state are fully alive and alert to their responsibilities.

“The State Government is monitoring and gauging the security situations within its boundary efficiently.

“Since the incident was reported, the government has been in close contact with the state Commissioner of Police, Hamzat Adebola, his team and our security teams and all parties have done the needful as usual to ensure the safety of lives and property of our citizens.” He stressed.

Oyelade reiterated that the government remained the most peaceful state in the country.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, on Saturday, recounted her recent experience at a birthday party, highlighting the fear of spraying the naira.

In a video shared on her Instagram page, she said, “Just coming from a birthday party and guess what? Everybody was afraid to spray.

“But I guess we have to learn how to spray. Don’t throw money around, do it with class and dignity.

“Everybody was afraid o, including me.”

The apprehension surrounding the spraying of naira comes in the wake of recent legal actions taken against individuals accused of abusing the national currency.

NigeriaUpdates reports that the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky for abusing the naira.

Bobrisky was sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Similarly, a businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, was also arraigned on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event.

The celebrity bar man pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial and was granted N10m bail with two sureties in like sum.

Passengers of a 14-seater bus including a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olugbenga Olawore, have been reportedly kidnapped in Oyo State.

The cleric and other passengers were reported to have been abducted on Friday night in the Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road, while the cleric was returning from Ipapo town, where he had gone to fine-tune burial arrangements for his mother.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the abduction to journalists on Saturday.

The police spokesman, however, said that some of the abductees had been rescued.

“Some of the rescued victims are assisting with useful leads that can help the investigation.

“All routes around the area, including the adjoining forest areas, are being combed.

“Investigation is ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly,” he said.