Catholic priest kidnapped in Nigeria

Persons suspected to be the kidnappers of the Rector of Fr. Tansi Major Seminary in Onitsha, Anambra State, Emmanuel Dim, have demanded a N2.5 million ransom for his release.

The Director of Communications at the Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Hygi Aghaulor, told journalists in Nnewi on Wednesday that Mr. Dim, a Reverend Father, was kidnapped by suspected armed herdsmen on September 26.

Mr. Aghaulor, a Reverend Father, said the priest was kidnapped around 7 p.m. on the Nkpologwu-Nimbo road.

He appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to help effect his release.

He said that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference had directed that no ransom be paid.

He said that two other priests, Jude Chukwuneke and Jude Ezeokana, who were in the same vehicle with Mr. Dim, managed to escape with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

Mr.Aghaulor said that the three catholic priests were returning from Nsukka to Onitsha and Nnewi after a condolence visit to Uchenna Ezeh of Nsukka Diocese who lost his mother.

He said that Mr. Ezeokana, a lecturer in both Fr. Tansi Seminary and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, received treatment briefly in Nsukka and now managing his wounds in Awka.

The priest said that Mr. Chukwuneke, the Chaplain of St. Camilus de Lellis Chaplaincy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, was shot on the head.

He said that Mr. Chukwuneke was receiving treatment at the institution’s teaching hospital in Nnewi.

We call on people of goodwill to continue to pray for the immediate release of the Vincentian priest.

“We are tempted to wonder if Nigeria is on the verge of collapse. All over the country, women are being raped and intimidated, innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered,’’ Mr. Aghaulor said.

(NAN)