Catholic Church in Ondo state has confirmed the kidnapping of two of its priests from Anambra state by gunmen on their way for a wedding ceremony over the weekend.
Gunmen had Friday reportedly abducted two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr Joseph Nweke and Rev. Fr Felix Efobi from Awka Catholic Diocese.
The two clergymen were said to have been kidnapped Friday along the Benin-Owo Expressway at the Elegbeka area of Ose local government area of Ondo state while they were on their way to Akure to attend a wedding programme.
A source informed that the two priests and other wedding guests were said to be travelling from Awka, the Anambra state capital to Ondo state for the ceremony. He said, “The two Catholic priests were coming from the Awka Diocese for a wedding in Akure and were kidnapped around Ajagbale, Elegbeka area on Friday.
“Some members of the bridal train were coming in a convoy with the reverend fathers, but only the cars carrying the priests were stopped by the suspected kidnappers. They dragged them out of the car and took them to an unknown destination.
“They didn’t even disturb others, their phones were not even collected, they just kidnapped the priests and left others.”
Confirming the incident, the Director of Media and Communications of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr Leo Aregbesola said the church had been searching for the victims and kidnappers are yet to contact the church.
When contacted on telephone for comment, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Mr Femi Joseph, did not pick his telephone for comment on the incident.
