Decomposed body of kidnapped Otukpo Catholic priest found

THE abducted Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Adenyi, Vicar- General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, has been found dead by the police in a bush, a few kilometers away from the main road.

The vicar-general was abducted on April 24, by unknown persons on Otukpa – Enugu Road, while returning to Otukpo, his base, after a church service in Otukpa area of Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
Sources said the decomposed body of the priest was found at Odoba in Otukpa area of Ogbadibo, saying ‘‘what was seen was cassock and sandals on the skeleton, which suggest that it was the remains of the kidnapped priest.

The state police spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu, told newsmen that police, on receiving information about the decomposed body found in the bush near the area the priest was abducted, cordoned off the place, adding that forensic anthropology would be conducted before they could give useful information.

However, the state governor confirmed the discovery of the decomposed body of the Catholic priest on Wednesday, during a town hall meeting held with Igede people, at the College of Education, Oju, as part of his ongoing stakeholders meeting.

He said the Reverend Father’s skeleton was discovered on Tuesday, in Otukpa, three kilometres away from the road, adding that he had already directed the police and medical personnel to collect the skeleton for postmortem.

Paying respect to the soul of the departed priest, the governor asked the people to observe a minute silence for the repose of the soul of Adenyi. He, however, vowed that the abductors of Adenyi would be brought to book.

It will be recalled that family members of the Catholic priest had paid the N2 million ransom requested by the suspected kidnappers three days after he was kidnapped, but the suspects later switched off all contacts.

After fruitless efforts at rescuing the priest, the state governor had, a few weeks ago, announced N5 million reward for information on the whereabouts the of the priest.

Reacting to the report, the Secretary General of Opiatoha Idoma, Mr Adoka Adaji, said, “it is unfortunate there is no security in Idomaland, otherwise, the kidnappers of Adenyi would have been exposed. The Idoma people are no longer their brothers’ keeper.”