July 07, (THEWILL) – A Catholic Priest, Revd Fr Peter Amodu, CSSp, of the Holy’ Ghost Congregation, who is working in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo as Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbeche, has been kidnapped by gunmen on Wednesday.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 5.00pm along Otukpo-Ugbokolo road in Okpokwu local government area of Benue State, when the priest was on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga-Ugbokolo.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Diocesan Chancellor, Revd Fr Joseph Itodo, condemned the evil act and called for prayers for him and other victims to come out unhurt.
“The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond, to pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.”
“We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors”, the statement said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, S.P, Sewuese Anene, expressed ignorance over the matter, saying “give me some time to get back to you.”
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspected gun and ammunition runners in the state.
According to the PPRO, Sewuese Anene, the arrest was made on 4th July, 2022, at about 1730hrs, while officers of Operation Zenda and JTF were on stop and search duty at Dura bridge, Ugbema in Buruku Local government area of Benue State.
“At the spot, one Terhide Iordye was arrested with one hundred and eighty thousand 7.62 x 39mm live AK-47 ammunition in a sack. Further investigation led to his confession that there were other gang members in Makurdi. Three other suspects; Emanuel Kuhwa, Ikyor Titus and Inas Moses, were subsequently arrested in possession of 120 ammunition, making a total of 300 ammunition.
“These suspects confessed to being members of the same ammunition supply gang. An investigation is ongoing to unravel the source and the intended destination of this ammunition for further necessary actions.”
According to the PPRO, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, Cp. Wale Abass, employed the people of Benue State to assist the police with useful information about criminals trying to frustrate the efforts of the command.
