Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two Catholic priests, Reverend Fathers Otori Francis and Avajara Simeon – who are both of the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja.
Blueprint gathered the clerics were taken hostage along the Benin-Auchi road in Edo state while they were on their way to Delta state for the funeral of their parishioner.
The development came amidst the hijack of the #EndSARS protest by suspected hoodlums in the state.
The hoodlums have been on rampage since last Friday- touching private property and dispossessing victims of their valuables.
A colleague of the kidnapped priests, Rev. Fr. Kevin Osalumhense Anetor, who broke the news to Catholic faithful via his social media account on Sunday, lamented the incessant hostage taken of Reverend Fathers.
Father Anetor said: “Please join us in prayers for two Nigerian Catholic Priests who were kidnapped in Edo state on their way to Delta state for the funeral of their parishioner.
“Do share widely until our security operatives wake up to their responsibilities.
“Too many Catholic priests have been Kidnapped in Edo state in the past couple of years.
“What did we do wrong? Gov. Obaseki must work to make Edo state much more secure.
“The federal government of Nigeria must do more to protect the lives of her citizens.
“We are tired of this shabby system. We want a better Nigeria. We want change. I’m so pained right now. So so pained”
The leadership of the Church had kicked against payment of ransom for kidnapped priests.
The state police spokesman, DSP. Chidi Nwabuzor, could not be reached for comment as at the time of filling this report.
