The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most. Rev Gabriel Dunia, on Thursday confirmed the abduction of a priest, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Adorolo, by unknown gunmen.
Dunia made the confirmed the abduction at a press conference held in Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.
According to the bishop, the priest was kidnapped along Auchi-Okpella highwaydnapped along Auchi-Okpella highway on Wednesday evening.
“Rev. Fr. Adorolo was on his way back from Auchi to his parish, St. Benedict Catholic Church, Okpella, when he was abducted by unknown gunmen at the bad spot near Okpella at about 6.00pm on Wednesday evening,” he said.
The bishop condemned the act, saying that the abductors committed an abominable act by keeping a priest who offers selfless service to God and humanity for ransom.
“The abductors have made contact with the church for ransom. The church does not pay ransom as it is not a profit-making organisation,” he said.
He called on security agencies to ensure unconditional release of the priest.
“The diocese is calling for an unconditional release of the priest. We are holding a mass for the unconditional release of the priest,” he said.
Edo State Police Command Spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who also confirmed the abduction of the priest to journalists on phone, disclosed that no arrest have been made so far.
He however said that more operatives of the Command have been diployed to the region to give back-to-back to the Mopol Squad there.
Additional report by Jethro Ibileke