Kidnappers Of Imo Catholic Priest, Driver Demand N10m Ransom

The people who kidnapped Rev. Fr. Kingsley Eze, also known as Father Ichie, the parish priest of St. Michael's Catholic Church Umuekebi in the Osuowerre autonomous community in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, along with his driver, Uchennna Newman, have demanded a ransom of N10 million.

Gunmen had on Thursday night kidnapped the two of them at Orieama Junction and robbed shop owners at the scene.

They also shot an onlooker, who was rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

A parishioner who doesn’t want to be named told our correspondent on Wednesday that their abductors had reduced the N50m ransom to N10m.

He said that the kidnappers had contacted the driver’s wife on Sunday and Monday and made a demand of N50m.

The parishioner said that the kidnappers also called on Wednesday and reduced the amount to N10m

The source said, “They called the driver’s wife on Sunday and Monday, respectively and made a demand of N50m. But I learnt that they have called again and reduced the amount to N10m.

“Where will the poor priest and the other person get that kind of amount from? Let nothing happens to them. We pray for their safe return.”