Kidnappers demand N20m for abducted Ekiti cleric

A Catholic priest in Ekiti diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, was kidnapped on Tuesday by gun men in Ido Ekiti, Ekiti state. It was learnt that the three-man gang stormed the residence of the cleric, who is the Parish Priest of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido Ekiti, between 7.30pm and 8pm. The cleric, who is a lawyer also doubles as the Assistant Director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative of the church in the diocese. The Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, who confirmed the development, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Etop John James, had been informed about the development. The bishop, who described the incidence as “very sad and devastating,”said the abductors also went away with the priest’s laptop computer, undisclosed amount of money and a handset. He said, “One of the three men pointed a gun at the head of one of the occupants of the priest’s residence and ordered him to lead them to Fr. Akingbade’s room where he was abducted and taken to an unknown destination. “They told the priest that some amount of money had been paid on his life except if he could pay them N20m. They asked him to put on any clothe he likes and drove him away, since then we have not been able to establish contact with him,” he added. Fr. Akingbade was born on September 9, 1971 and ordained a Catholic priest on July 18, 1998. When contacted, the Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi confirmed the report. “We are aware of it and we are following it up.The DPO in Ido informed the command about the incident and we are trying our best to get him released,” he said.