Gunmen abduct two Catholic priests in Ondo State

[Edoman]

Gunmen abduct two Catholic priests in Ondo State






Unknown gunmen have reportedly kidnapped two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nweke and Rev. Fr. Felix Efobi from Awka Catholic Diocese.  
 
The two clergymen were said to have been kidnapped on Benin-Owo Expressway at Elegbeka area of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, on their way to Akure, the state capital, for a wedding ceremony, on Friday evening.
 
According to reports the two priests and other guests of the wedding ceremony were said to be coming from Awka, the Anambra State capital.

 “The two catholic priests, who were coming from Awka Diocese for a wedding ceremony in Akure, were kidnapped around Ajagbale, Elegbeka axis yesterday (Friday).
“Some members of the bridal train were coming in a convoy with the reverend fathers but only the cars carrying the priests were stopped by the suspected kidnappers and they dragged them out of the cars and took them to an unknown location.
“They didn’t even disturb others, their phones were not even collected, they just kidnapped the priests and left others.” 

The Director of Media and Communications of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father Leo Aregbesaola, who confirmed the incident, said the church had been searching for the victims. “Rev. Father Amadi posted the incident on our page and he said efforts were ongoing to look for them,” he stated.
 
However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Femi Joseph said he was not aware of the development.

[Edoman]

Update: Abductors of Catholic priests in Ondo State demand N100m ransom






Abductors of the two catholic priests kidnapped on Friday, December 9th in Ondo State have demanded the sum of N100m before they could be set free.
 
Rev. Fr. Felix Efobi and Rev. Fr. Josephat Nweke of Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State, were both kidnapped on the Owo-Benin Road in Ose Local Council Area of the state. The two priest were abducted on their way to a wedding ceremony at the Igbatoro area of Akure where they were waylaid and dragged into the bush by the kidnappers.  
 
Rev Fr Leo Aregbesola, Director of Media and Communications of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, who had earlier confirmed the abduction of the two priest on Sunday, said the abductors had reached out to the family.

He said, "The abductors have confirmed that the two priests are with them but they are demanding the sum of N100m as ransom from their families."

He added that they have started prayers to ensure the safe release of the priests from the den of the kidnappers.  
 
However, Femi Joseph, spokesperson for the police in Ondo State, said the Commissioner of Police had directed detectives from the command to swing into action and rescue the two priest from the hands of the kidnappers.

[Edoman]

Exclusive update: Catholic priests kidnapped in Ondo on their way to a wedding have been released






The two Catholic priests who were kidnapped in Ondo state on their way to a wedding have been released, a family source tells LIB.
 
Rev. Fr. Joseph Nweke and Rev. Fr. Felix Efobi, from Awka Catholic Diocese, were travelling on Friday, December 6, from Anambra state to Ondo state for a wedding when they were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on the Benin-Owo Expressway (read here).
 
Their abductors demanded 100 million Naira as ransom (read here). 
 
Fortunately, the priests have now been released days after they were kidnapped.
 
A family source who spoke to LIB said the priests were led out to the road by the abductors on Tuesday evening, December 10, and were left there. A parish priest at Owo went to pick them up.
 
Rev. Fr. Joseph Nweke and Rev. Fr. Felix Efobi are currently at one of the parish houses in Owo, Ondo state.
 
The family source added that no ransom was paid to secure their release.