Panic As Gunmen Abducts Catholic Priest For The Second Time In Delta

Rev. Fr. Jude Onyebadi

A Catholic priest has been abducted by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen for the second time in four years in Delta state.

Rev. Fr. Jude Onyebadi, the Parish Priest of Saint’s Peters & Paul, Issele Asagba, was said to have been monitored and kidnapped in his farm, at the weekend, where he went to inspect his farm, workers and pay them for the work done.

Back in December 2016, he was kidnapped on his farm and released a few days after.

This time around, Fr. Onyebadi was taken into the bush alongside three workers in his farm. The three workers were later set free while the priest is being held incommunicado.

The search party organised by the family members of the priest in conjunction with locals in the area, including members of the local vigilance group, have not yielded the desired results.

Communication Director, Catholic Diocese of Issele Uku, Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwan, who confirmed the development, said that the matter had been reported to the security agencies and that members of the church had embarked on prayers for his release unhurt.

He said the kidnappers have not made any contact or demanded ransom.

He, therefore, pleaded with the kidnappers who may not know that he is a priest to release him unconditionally.

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident, saying: "The police have been dispatched to the bush to rescue the Catholic Priest."