Nigeria: Armed men abduct priest and six others

Fr Marcellinus Obioma Okide © ACN

Source: ACN

A Catholic priest and six other people were abducted yesterday (17th September) by gunmen while travelling in south Nigeria.

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was en route to his parish, St Mary Amofia-Agu Affa in Udi, Enugu State, when he was kidnapped by unknown militants whom local media suspect were Fulani herdsmen.

Following the incident on Sunday evening, Father Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, Enugu diocesan chancellor and secretary, has issued a fervent appeal for prayers, hoping for the swift and safe release of the priest.

In the statement seen by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Agubuchie said he was praying to Jesus Christ for Father Okide to be freed and for the protection of the whole nation. He added that he was hoping for the criminals' change of heart.

According to a report by Vanguard News Nigeria, six other travellers were also taken captive, and the perpetrators have contacted the victims' relatives, demanding a ransom of 100 million Nigeria Nairas (more than £100,000).

This distressing event is the latest of its kind in a region where kidnappings of priests and Christian laypeople are increasingly common.

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Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org