Gunmen kidnap 2 clergymen, lecturer in Kogi

Gunmen have abducted two clergymen and a lecturer on the Adavi-Okene and Kabba-Okene axis of Kogi State. Daily Trust learnt that Reverend Father Leo Michael, who is the presiding priest of Saint Michael Catholic Church Obajana and a yet to be identified pastor were abducted on Tuesday evening at Irepeni village in Adavi Local Government […]

Gunmen have abducted two clergymen and a lecturer on the Adavi-Okene and Kabba-Okene axis of Kogi State.

Daily Trust learnt that Reverend Father Leo Michael, who is the presiding priest of Saint Michael Catholic Church Obajana and a yet to be identified pastor were abducted on Tuesday evening at Irepeni village in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State en route Okene. 

Also abducted was one Aronimu Babatunde Samuel, a lecturer with the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba, who was traveling from Kabba to Okene.

The Diocesan Chancellor of Lokoja Diocese, Bishop Peter Adinoyi, said the abductors of the two clergymen came from the bush near Irepeni village and forcefully seized Rev Leo Michael and one other person believed to be a pastor with RCCG and fled into the bush leaving the two vehicles parked along the road.

He said the abductors have established contact with some members of the church, adding that they (abductors) demanded for N50 million ransom initially but later brought it down to N8 million. 

When contacted, the spokesman of the police in Kogi State, William Aya, confirmed the abduction of the reverend father but said he was not aware of the abduction of the other pastor and lecturer.

He said the police are on the trail of the abductors to ensure safe release of the clergyman.