Abductors demand N2.5m ransom for Catholic priest

September 28, 2016 5:56 PM

The gunmen behind the kidnap of a catholic priest in Anambra state have demanded a N2.5 million ransom.

A Catholic priest

Suspected

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Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, September 28 in Nnewi, the Director of Communications at the Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Hygi Aghaulor, said that Dim was kidnapped on September 26 by suspected Fulani herdsmen who were armed.

Aghaulor also said that the kidnap occurred at about 7 p.m. along the Nkpologwu-Nimbo road.

Appealing to the Federal Government and security agencies to assist with the priest's release, Aghaulor revealed that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has given a directive that no ransom be paid.

According to him, two other priests who were also in the vehicle at the time of the attack, Rev. Fr. Jude Chukwuneke and Rev. Fr. Jude Ezeokana, managed to escape the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

The three catholic priests were on their way back from Nsukka to Onitsha and Nnewi following a condolence visit to Rev. Fr. Uchenna Ezeh of Nsukka Diocese who had just lost his mother.

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Aghaulor added that Ezeokana, who is a lecturer in both Fr. Tansi Seminary and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, received some treatment in Nsukka but is now managing his wounds in Awka, while Chukwuneke, the Chaplain of St. Camilus de Lellis Chaplaincy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, who was shot in the head is currently receiving treatment at the institution’s teaching hospital in Nnewi.

Aghaulor said, “We call on people of goodwill to continue to pray for the immediate release of the Vincentian priest.

“We are tempted to wonder if Nigeria is on the verge of collapse. All over the country, women are being raped and intimidated, innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered.”