Cleric abducted by unknown gunmen

fuad lawal

June 10, 2015 9:55 PM

A Catholic Priest has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ekiti State

A Catholic priest, Rev, Father Emmanuel Akingbade, 43, was on Tuesday kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The cleric, who is the parish priest in charge of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in the community was abducted by a three-man gang from his residence at about 8.00pm on Tuesday.

The kidnappers are said to be demanding for a N20 million ransom.

The abduction of the cleric threw the community into confusion as youths poured into the streets to protest the incident.

They blocked the highway that passes through the town with used tyres, logs of wood and other objects, demanding for the immediate release of the priest.

The irate protesters wondered why the town is being targeted by kidnappers as several people have been kidnapped in the community and its environs in recent time.

Many motorists plying Ifaki-Ido-Otun Road either parked their vehicles or turned back so as not to be caught in the protest.

Akingbade, who is also a lawyer, was born on September 9, 1971 and ordained a priest on July 18, 1998.

He is also the Assistant Director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti.

Confirming the incident, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, revealed that one of the three men ordered one of the occupants of the priest’s residence at gunpoint to lead them to the room of their target.

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