Anxiety, Fears As Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest The Second Time In Delta

There is palpable fear and anxiety in some part of Delta state as gun wielding men waylaid and abducted a Catholic priest for the second time in lssele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Council of the State.

BIGPEN learnt that the priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Onyebadi of Saint’s Peters & Paul, Issele Asagba, was reportedly kidnapped in his farm, at the weekend.

He was said to have gone to inspect his farm, and pay his workers when the gunmen rounded them up.

In 2018, the priest was also taken into custody by unknown gunmen in a similar circumstances at his farm on the Isele-Uku/Issele-Mkpetime Road.

He, however, was released few days later after a major protest by Catholic priests in the Issele-Uku Catholic Diocese.

Confirming the latest incident, the Communication Director, Catholic Diocese of Issele Uku, Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwan, said that the matter had been reported to the security agencies and that members of the church had embarked on prayers for his release unhurt.

He said the kidnappers had not made any contact or demanded for ransom.

He, therefore, pleaded with the kidnappers who may not know that he is a priest to release him unconditionally.

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident, saying: “The police have been dispatched to the bush to rescue the Catholic Priest.”

Kidnapping for ransom have become a daily occurrence in some part of Delta in recent times.