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Police Intensify Manhunt For Abductors Of Catholic Priest In Delta
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Mustapha, has confirmed abduction of a Catholic Priest in Aragba, Oviri-Okpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State by unknown gunmen.
Mustapha said that operatives of the command had begun a search to ensure the safe release of the priest.
He said, “Yes, we are already searching for the kidnappers. He was kidnapped two days ago.”
The cleric was seized on his way to Warri, the commercial nerve centre of the state on Saturday.
BigPen Online was told on Monday that the priest, identified as Rev Fr.Christopher Ogaga, was kidnapped around Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe road, near Warri.
He left Aghalokpe at about 10:00pm to assist the Parish Priest of Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church, Airport junction, Effurun to conduct the three masses his parish usually have on Sunday.
The priest was driving alone when he was kidnapped by the gunmen who are now asking for a 15 million naira ransom.
“He left the house and he was heading to Warri through Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe Road. That is the route he used to take to Warri. We are suspecting that he might have been kidnapped along this route.
“He was driving alone when the incident happened because he usually travels to Warri alone on Sundays. We were supposed to go with him that Saturday, but we did not go with him,” the source added.
Rev Fr. Ogaga is the Principal of St. Peters Clavers College, Aghalokpe.
He is also the Parish Priest in charge of St Luke’s Catholic Church Oviri Okpe, Emmanuel Catholic Church, Aragba, and St Jude’s Catholic Church Aghalopke.
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