Suspected Herdsmen Kidnap Catholic Priest in Delta, Demand N20m

Another clergyman and the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Issele-Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Rev. Fr. Samuel Agwameseh, has reportedly been kidnapped by suspected armed herdsmen.

Agwameseh was said to have been abducted on the Onicha-Olona/Issele-Mkpitime road within the locality at the weekend.

Sources at Issele-Ikpitime community said the criminals who abducted the priest had established contact with the church, demanding N20 million ransom for the victim's freedom.

It was learnt that the priest was said to be returning from Onicha-Olona, a nearby town, he had gone to produce last Sunday’s weekly Church bulletin for his parish when he was allegedly ambushed by gun-wielding men suspected to be Fulani nomads.

The reverend father's vehicle was said to be abandoned by the kidnappers as they took him into their custody in the surrounding bushes.

It was further gathered that the abductors were threatening to kill the priest if the N20 million ransoms were not paid early.

Confirming the incident, Director of Social Communication, Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwa, said the hoodlums were talking with some of the parishioners of St Lawrence's parish.

Agwameseh was, however, said to have insisted to his captors “that the Catholic Church does not pay ransom” for any of its kidnapped priest, even as the communication director pleaded with the abductors to release the clergyman unconditionally for the sake of God he has devoted his entire life to serve.

He noted that the church does not have money for the payment of ransom to kidnappers.

Although, the Delta State Police Command was yet to make any official statement on the kidnapped priest, it was learnt that the police had recovered the victim's vehicle with his personal effects.