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Suspected herdsmen abduct Catholic priest in Delta

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Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly abducted the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Issele-Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Rev. Fr. Samuel Agwameseh.

The clergy, according to sources, was abducted along the Onicha-Olona/Issele-Mkpitime road in the LGA.

The sources said the kidnappers who had established contact with the family and church had demanded N20 million ransom to free the priest.

Agwameseh, who was returning from Onicha-Olona where he produced last Sunday’s bulletin for his parish, was ambushed and taken into captivity by the hoodlums.

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One of the sources said the gunmen threatened to kill the priest if the N20 million ransom was not paid, adding that the police officers had recovered the victim’s vehicle and other personal belongings.

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

He however, said the Catholic Church does not pay ransom for their abducted priest and pleaded with the abductors to release the priest unconditionally for the sake of God.

He added that the church does not have money for payment of ransom.

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