Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Kidnappers of a Catholic priest and Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Umunneochi, Abia State, Fr Chinedu Nwadike, have demanded N50 million ransom for his release.
The priest was kidnapped alongside a Seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor, around the notorious Isuochi-Ihube which has become a den of kidnappers suspected to be herders.
Reports say the victims were abducted Friday evening after driving out of the university gate.
Their abduction is coming a day after the Divisional Police Officer, DCO, in charge of Umunneochi Divisional Police station was kidnapped.
The DCO is yet to regain his freedom even after his family had reportedly paid ransom.
Ikengaonline gathered that the abductors of the priests have contacted their families and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
A family source said this was the second attempt at kidnapping the priest.
“Both are members of the Holy Ghost Congregation missionaries, living their lives of sacrifice and selflessness in service to a better society.
“He is currently the deputy registrar of SUN (Spiritan University Nneochi).
“This is the second attempt to kidnap him in very recent time. In the first attempt, they shot directly at him but he managed to escape, but this time they succeeded and are said to be demanding a ransom of N50m. Curiously a military check point is located around the place,” the source said.
Kidnapping for ransom has been on the increase since the abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Bishop Samuel Uche and two priests on his entourage who regained their freedom after a whooping sum of N100 million was paid as ransom.
Bandits suspected to be herdsmen blocked the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway around the same axis about two weeks ago and abducted all occupants of three vehicles.
They were said to have burnt a security patrol van which came for a rescue of the victims.
Locals as well as commuters around the area now live in fear of the unknown.
