Tension as Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest in Southwest State

• A popular Catholic priest, Reverend Joseph Ajayi, has allegedly been kidnapped in Ondo state on Tuesday, December 7
• The man of God was abducted while on his way to Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore local government area where his parish is located
• The suspected kidnappers are yet to make contact with any relative to demand ransom as of Tuesday evening

Ondo state - Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted a Catholic Priest, Reverend Joseph Ajayi.

The Nation reported that the cleric was abducted along the Akure-Ikere road in Ondo state on Tuesday, December 7.

He was said to be travelling in his Toyota Corolla to Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore local government area, close to Akure, the state capital, where his parish is located.

It was gathered that the gunmen are yet to demand a ransom.

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The 49-year-old reverend father was said to be traveling alone. According to Channels TV, the police authorities in the state have yet to confirm the incident.

60 Baptist church members regain freedom after a month with kidnappers

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that 60 members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Kaduna state, who were abducted by suspected bandits on Sunday, October 31, have regained their freedom.

The good news was confirmed by Rev Joseph John Hayab, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)’s chairman, Kaduna state chapter on Saturday, December 4.

According to Hayab, nine others abducted at a different village were also released alongside the church worshippers on Friday evening, December 3. Though the CAN chairman was silent on whether a ransom was paid before their release, he confirmed that the church played a vital role.

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Breaking: Again, gunmen storm Imo community, abduct another traditional ruler

Pastor begs God for forgiveness after kidnapping Catholic priest

In another related report, Pastor Izuchukwu Anoloba, aged 35, has been arrested alongside others by the operatives of the Imo state police command for kidnapping a Catholic priest, Fr Fidelis Ekemgba.

Anoloba and his gang members who were paraded by the state's commissioner of police, Rabiu Hussaini, held the priest for over seven days and made him to pay a ransom of N5 million to them.

Legit.ng gathered that the Imo police chief, Hussaini, said the pastor was arrested in Lagos following intelligence gathering by men of the anti-kidnapping unit of the command.

Source: Legit.ng