Two Catholic Priests, kidnapped in Edo State

Image: The Standard Gazette

According to the Edo State Police Command, two Catholic priests were abducted on Saturday night. They were said to be kidnapped along Benin-Auchi Road when returning to Uromi in Esan South-East Local Government Area, Edo State.

The two priests have been identified as Rev. Father Udo and Rev. Father Philemon Oboh of St. Patrick Catholic church Uromi and St. Joseph Retreat Center Ugboha, respectively.

SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the Public Relations Officer of the state, confirmed the kidnap of the reverend fathers in a statement.

The statement reads: 

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.

This sad news is coming one week after Rev. Father Christopher Odia was abducted, killed and dumped in the bush on Sunday at Ikabigbo Community, Etsako West LGA of the same state. 

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#Catholic Priest

#Edo State

#Kidnappers