Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a priest of the Catholic Church in Otukpo, Reverend Father David Echioda in Benue state.
Vanguard reports that the incident occurred in Allan Akpa community of Otukpo local government area of Benue state on Sunday, March 1.
The priest was said to have been abducted while coming from Utonkon in Ado local government area of the state where he had gone on missionary engagement.
An unnamed source quoted in the report said the cleric ran into the gunmen, who seized his phones and also took him in his car to an unknown destination.
A motorcycle rider who ran into the scene and escaped being kidnapped too was the one who broke the news.
“The kidnappers are yet to open contact with anyone while the whereabouts of the priest is still unknown,” the source said.
The director of information, Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Father John Okopopu and the Benue police command spokesperson, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the abduction of the priest.
Recall that heavily armed men on Friday, February 14, kidnapped a priest of the Uromi Catholic Arch Diocese, Rev Father Nicholas Oboh in Benin the Edo state capital. Chancellor Uromi Diocese, Rev Father Osi Odenore, revealed this in a statement he posted on his Facebook page.
“We are sure he is alive, and since the incident, steps have been taken to ensure that Rev Father Nicholas Oboh is released without no harm,” he wrote.
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