A clergyman, Rev. Fr. Timothy Nwanja attached to St. Mary’s parish, Okpokueze Nkomoro community, Imoho Development Centre in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has been abducted by unidentified gunmen, according to reports. The cleric was abducted around 8:30pm on Sunday, along with his cook, the reports said.
The gunmen were said to have demanded N100million from the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, Rt. Rev. Michael Okoro for the release of the cleric and the cook. The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Loveth Odah confirmed the incident to newsmen. She said Rev. Fr. Nwanja was abducted when he came downstairs of his residence to check strange movement in his dinning where his cook was first abducted on that Sunday night.
“While they were eating in the parlour in the dining, the gunmen walked into the room and abducted the cook. The Rev. Fr. who was upstairs, heard strange steps, he in the parlour, he came down to know what was happening and he was kidnapped. He was put inside his own vehicle and driven off to unknown destination. He was blindfolded. The cook was abducted because leaving her will alert the police”, she said.
She noted that the state police command has intensified effort for the rescue of the kidnapped victims, adding that a motorcycle operator has been arrested in connection with the kidnap of the Catholic Priest and the cook.
This is the second kidnap incident involving Catholic priest, recall that an Italian priest, Maurizio Pallu who was snatched on Thursday in broad daylight by armed men just outside Benin City. The kidnap was confirmed by the Vatican and church officials.