The gunmen who kidnapped a Catholic priest, Alphonsus Uboh, on Sunday in Akwa Ibom state, demanded a ransom of 100 million naira for his release.
Mr. Uboh, Reverend Father and Parish Priest of St. Pius X Parish, Ikot Abasi Akpan, Mkpat Enin, is said to have been abducted from his parish home, inside the church premises, at around 7 p.m.
The incident occurred after the parish women – Catholic Women’s Organization (CWO) concluded their 2022 Mother’s Day celebrations and fundraising ceremony.
Parish Council President Cletus Okodi told PREMIUM TIMES that the priest contacted him by phone on Monday afternoon.
The kidnapped cleric told Mr. Okodi that he is being held in a forest whose location he does not know and that the kidnappers are demanding 100 million naira for his release.
A former parish youth chairman, Uwemedimo Patrick, also confirmed that he had spoken to the kidnapped priest before the cleric’s phone was immediately switched off.
According to reports, the armed men invaded the church premises located along Ekparakwa – Ekpene Ukpa – Etinan on a motorcycle and took away the reverend father.
Justin Udoma, a Reverend Father and Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, confirmed the incident but said only the diocesan bishop can make an official statement on the matter.
The kidnapping of the Catholic priest is the second cleric kidnapped in less than three weeks.
John Okoriko, the founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, was kidnapped by gunmen two weeks ago in Ibekwe Akpanya, less than 10 kilometers from where Catholic priest Ikot Abasi Akpan was kidnapped.
The gunmen who kidnapped Mr. Okoriko also demanded a ransom of 100 million naira for his release, but it is unclear whether the same gunmen are responsible for kidnapping the Catholic priest.
Akwa Ibom State Police spokesman Odiko Macdon did not respond to requests for comment when contacted.