Gunmen abduct two Catholic priests in Ondo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday evening kidnapped two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nweke and Rev. Fr. Felix Efobi from Awka Catholic Diocese.

The two priests were said to have been kidnapped on Benin-Owo Expressway around Elegbeka area of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State while coming to Akure, the state capital, for a wedding ceremony.

According to a source, the two priests and other guests of the wedding ceremony were said to be coming from Awka, the Anambra State capital to attend a wedding ceremony in Akure.

The source said: “The two catholic priests were coming from Awka Diocese for a wedding ceremony in Akure, they were kidnapped around Ajagbale, Elegbeka axis.

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“Some of the bridal trains were coming in convoy with the reverend fathers, only the cars carrying the priests were stopped by the suspected kidnappers and they dragged them out of the car before taken to an unknown destination.

“They didn’t even disturb others, they did not do even collect their phones buy they just kidnapped the priests and left others.”

Confirming the incident, the Director of Media and Communications of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father Leo Aregbesaola, said the church had been searching for the victims immediately after the incident.

“Rev. Father Amadi posted the incident on our page and he said efforts were ongoing to look for them,” he stated.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Mr Femi Joseph said the state police command was not aware of the development.

Joseph said: “I will try and verify, but for now I am not aware.”