Two Catholic priests abducted in Edo days after killing of one

Police in Edo have confirmed the abduction of two Catholic priests, Rev. Father Udo of St, Patrick Catholic church Uromi and Rev. Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center Ugboha.

The priests were taken captive on Saturday night along the Benin-Auchi Road on their way back to Uromi in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

Edo police spokesperson Chidi Nwabuzor in a statement on Sunday said, “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.”

The statement added that the commissioner of police 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.”

Less than a week ago, on June 26, Rev. Father Christopher Odia was abducted at Ikabigbo Community, Etsako West LGA of Edo. He was found dead hours later.