Unknown gunmen on Saturday abducted an Anglican priest working on his farm at Issele-Mkpitime in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
A resident in the community, Mr. Uche Obinkwor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the priest, Rev. Anthony Oyi of Oko Agbele Quarters was abducted by suspected herdsmen along with members of his family.
The family were reportedly working on their farm when the gunmen kidnapped them
“The priest, who resides at Oko Agbele Quarters in Issele-Mkpitime was kidnapped this morning along with his wife and children while working on their farm.
“We gathered from the wife, who was later released along with her children that the kidnappers are herdsmen.
“The kidnappers later released the priest’s wife and children and held back the priest and another victim, a man in their custody’” Obinkwor said.
It was gathered that the kidnappers asked the wife to go home and look for money to pay ransom for her husband’s release.
Obinkwor said youths and the community’s vigilante group have been alerted and have launched a search to fish out the kidnappers.
Confirming the development, Delta State Police Command’s spokeswoman, DSP. Onome Onovwakpoyeya told NAN that the command had already dispatched a team of police operatives to track down the kidnappers and rescue the priest.
“We got the information this morning and as I speak with you, our men are already in the community combing the surrounding bushes.
“The police will track down the kidnappers and rescue the priest unhurt,” Onovwakpoyeya assured.
