Again, gunmen kidnap Edo Catholic priests

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday abducted two Catholic priests: Rev. Father Udo Peter of St. Patrick Catholic Church Uromi and Rev Father Philemon Oboh, of St.Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha, both of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi, who were travelling from Benin to Uromi when they were abducted along the Benin-Auchi road
Recall that Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia was gruesomely killed by suspected Fulani kidnappers at Ikabigbo in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state on Sunday June 27,2022.

Confirming the report, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Benin, said that one Father Amos Abhulimen of St.Dominic Catholic Church Ugboha has reported that he was informed that the two Priests were attacked and kidnapped by suspected kidnappers on thier way from Benin City.

The Statement reads in part:
“This is to confirm the kidnap incident of two Catholic Rev. Fathers, Rev. Fr. Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Uromi and Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The Edo State Police Command was informed of the incident by the Divisional Police Officer, Ugboha, Edo State, that on Sunday 03/07/2022 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 priests were attacked, kidnapped and taken to an unknown place by some kidnappers along Benin-Auchi Expressway between Ehor and Iruekpen Communities.

“Immediately, the Commissioner Of Police Edo State, CP Abutu Yaro, dispatched Police operatives to the area and warned to carry out aggressive and well coordinated manhunt in arresting the kidnappers and for the rescuing of the Rev. Fathers unhurt.

The CP solicits for the cooperation of the general public in giving information to the Police and other sister security agencies in Policing Edo State.” The statement said.

The Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Bishop Donatus Ogun, could not be reached for comments as he was said to be in a meeting.