On Saturday night, two Catholic priests, Rev. Father Udo of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Uromi and Rev. Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center Ugboha, were kidnapped in Edo State.
They were both kidnapped on their way back to Uromi in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state along Benin-Auchi Road.
Their kidnap has been confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, in a statement.
The statement read, “This is to confirm the kidnap of two Catholic Rev. Fathers; Rev. Fr. Udo Peter of St. Patrick Catholic Church Uromi and Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center, Ugboha in Esan South East LGA of Edo State.
“The Edo State Police Command was informed of the incident by the Divisional Police Officer, Ugboha, Edo State, that on Sunday, July 3, 2022, one Rev. Father Amos Abhulimen of St. Dominic Catholic Church Ugboha, reported that he was informed by the Catholic authority via WhatsApp that the above named Catholic Rev. Fathers were attacked, kidnapped and taken to unknown place by some kidnappers along Benin-Auchi Expressway between Ehor and Iruekpen Communities.
“Immediately, the Commissioner Of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, dispatched policemen to the area to carry out aggressive and well coordinated manhunt in arresting the kidnappers as well as rescue the Rev. Fathers unhurt.”
The rate of kidnap in the country is quite alarming. Last Sunday, a catholic priest, Rev. Father Christopher Odia, was kidnapped at Ikabigbo Community in Etsako West LGA.
After an alarm was raised about his kidnap, he was found dead in the bush.
It will be recalled that some months ago, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Samuel Kanu-Uche was kidnapped on his way from a farewell visit in Owerri, Imo State. He was later released after a ransom of N100 million was paid.
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