Two Catholic priests abducted on highway in Edo

Gunmen have been kidnapped two priests of Catholic Church, Udo Peter and Philemon Oboh, along a highway in Edo State.

They were said to have been abducted along the Benin-Auchi expressway, between the Ehor and Iruekpen communities in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the report in a statement on Sunday.

It stated, “This is to confirm the kidnap incident of two Catholic Reverend Fathers, Rev Fr. Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Uromi, and Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The Edo State Police Command was informed of the incident by the Divisional Police Officer, Ugboha, Edo State, that on Sunday 03/07/2022 one Rev. Father Amos Abhulimen of St. Dominic Catholic Church Ugboha reported that he was informed by the Catholic authority via WhatsApp that the above named Catholic Rev. Fathers were attacked, kidnapped and taken to unknown place by some kidnappers along Benin-Auchi Expressway between Ehor and Iruekpen communities.

“Immediately, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, dispatched police operatives to the area to carry out aggressive and well coordinated manhunt in arresting the kidnappers and for the rescuing of the rev. fathers unhurt.”