Gunmen Abducts Two Catholic Priests

Asaba- SUSPECTED gunmen, yesterday abducted two Catholic Priests at Obior in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

One of the clergymen was identified as Reverend Father Franklyn Odiaka who is the Parish Priest of Catholic Church of Assumption (Zappa Parish), Asaba while the identity of the second victim was unknown as at press time.

The unsuspecting clergymen were returning from a ceremony in honor of the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Michael Elue, when they were intercepted by the gunmen on the road.

Although details of the kidnap were still sketchy as at time press tume, anxious parishioners of Assumption Catholic Church were yesterday seen around the church in clusters discussing the development in hush tunes.

Nobody was willing to divulge information as they were said to be preparing for a marathon spiritual exercise of prayer against the abductors of the fiery charismatic priest, Fr. Odiaka.

The kidnap is coming barely two weeks after hoodlums allegedly broke into the church and remove undisclosed amount of money from the parish treasury.

Contacted, the State Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu confirmed the kidnap of the Catholic Priests.

Kalu said information about the situation was still sketchy, expressing confidence that the hoodlums would be apprehended while the clergies would be freed unhurt.