Catholic Priest Abducted In Edo
Daredevil hoodlums, suspected to be kidnappers have abducted one Rev. Father Sylvester Chukwura, a Catholic priest in Edo State. The ugly development has therefore heightened the call on the Federal government to declare a state of emergency on
security following the recent alarming security situation in the country, especially cases of kidnap.
Huhuonline.com sources disclosed that the incident which took place on Monday, when about 10 gunmen whisked the man of God to an unknown destination is one of the myriad of cases of unresolved kidnap incidents that has now become the order of the day in the ancient Benin Kingdom.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ejiroro Awara, who confirmed the incident said that the police is investigating the matter and that efforts have been intensified to secure the urgent release of Rev. Fr. Chukwura.
An official of the parish, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, told Huhuonline.com that Rev. Fr. Chukwura was abducted from his residence at the parish by the armed criminals, after gaining an unhindered entry into the Rev. Father's house at about 1:00am.
Another source claimed that the hoodlums had broken down the main gate to the residence of the parish priest who was said to have shouted for help, but to no avail as no one came to his rescue.
The development, which has been described in most religious quarters as sacrilegious has attracted wide condemnation as the incident has caused a slip-up in the entire catholic community as other priests in the state has restricted their movement for fear of being kidnapped.
'This is appalling. May God save the people of Nigeria. What do these people want from a poor priest ministering to the people in a relatively remote area? Whoever is behind this, know that this is a man of God. We are all under the power and authority of God.'
A dependable source at the Diocese of Issele-Uku in Delta state revealed to Huhuonline.com that Rev. Father Sylvester Chukwura, was ordained in 1999 at the Issele-Uku Catholic Diocese in Delta State.
Meanwhile, security has been heightened around the premises of the kidnapped priest just as the Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, summoned an emergency meeting of the Curia to discuss the security threat in the state.
Recall that the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof Ibade was kidnapped in April this year which led to the Union staff members' protest, calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.
The Chief Medical Director was finally released on Thursday, 8th of April at about 4pm after the kidnappers had demanded for a ransom of N50 million but was later reduced to N20 million.