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Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Edo

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, and Michael Egbejule, Benin City
29 September 2017   |   4:23 am
Barely four days after the abduction of the Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden, Andy Ehanire, in Benin City, another group of unidentified gunmen on Wednesday abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Adorolo

Adorolo

Barely four days after the abduction of the Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden, Andy Ehanire, in Benin City, another group of unidentified gunmen on Wednesday abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Adorolo, in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Adorolo who reportedly drove a Mercedes 350 ML, was said to be in his white Cassock and in company of a Seminarian and a boy living with him when he was abducted.

The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Rev. Gabriel Dunia, confirmed the abduction to newsmen at a press conference held in Auchi yesterday. According to the bishop, the priest was kidnapped along Auchi-Okpella highway on Wednesday evening.

“Rev. Adorolo was on his way back from Auchi to his parish at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Okpella, when he was abducted by unknown gunmen at the bad spot near Okpella around 6:00p.m. on Wednesday,” he said.

The bishop condemned the act, adding that the abductors committed an abominable act by keeping a priest who offers selfless service to God and humanity for ransom.

“The abductors have made contact with the church for ransom. The church does not pay ransom as it is not a profit-making organisation,” he added.

He called on security agencies to ensure the release of the priest. “The diocese is calling for an unconditional release of the priest. We are holding a mass for the unconditional release of the priest.”

Edo State Police Command Spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the abduction of the priest to journalists on phone, disclosed that no arrest had been made so far.

He, however, said more operatives of the command had been deployed to the region to give back up to the mobile policemen on ground.

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