Catholic Church priest and Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Umunneochi, Abia State, Rev. Father Chinedu Nwadike; and a seminarian who were kidnapped on Friday, August 12, 2022, along the Okigwe-Umunneochi axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, have been released.
The news of their freedom broke out on Monday evening, August 15, although the victims reportedly gained their freedom on Sunday evening.
While the victims were held hostage, their kidnappers were said to have demanded a ransom of N50m naira.
The news of their release was disclosed on Facebook by a relative of the priest, Abuchi Anueyiagu. He also noted that a ransom was paid for the victims' release.
Hw said, “Do kindly rejoice with us, Rev Fr Dr Chinedu Nwadike, Cssp, has eventually regained freedom. He and the seminarian, Emmanuel, were released Sunday evening unhurt to the glory of God. We express our grateful appreciation for your prayers. May God bless you.
“Pix shows the priest (right) and the seminarian when they were released to go home, though not without payment of a ransom anyway before they were freed.”
As at the time of writing this report, the police has not yet confirmed the release of the Catholic priest and the seminarian.
Kidnapping has become rampant in the country and the South-east is not left out. It will be recalled that some months ago, the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Bishop Samuel Kanu-Uche was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen on his way from a farewell visit.
He later regained his freedom after a ransom of N100m was paid. After that incident, there have been more cases of kidnapping of clerics. Some have also been killed in the past months.
The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has said that they have tried their best to curb insecurity in the country. However, there seems to be no end in sight for the suspects of this crime as security agencies have been overwhelmed in recent times.
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