Bandits kidnap Catholic priest in Abia, demand N50bn ransom

Bandits have kidnapped Reverend Father Chinedu Nwadike, a Catholic priest, along the Okigwe – Enugu expressway in the Umunneochi council area of Abia State.

Nwadike who is also the Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Nneochi (SUN), was kidnapped alongside a seminarian over the weekend on their way to Enugu for an official assignment.

Information gathered suggests that the kidnappers have made contact with the school demanding N50bn ransom for his release.

As of the time of filing this report, the Abia State Police Command was yet to officially respond to questions regarding the abduction of the Reverend Father and seminarian.

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Comments regarding the development have also not been made by the Catholic Archdiocese.

Rev. Fr Nwadike’s abduction is the latest in a series of kidnappings involving clergymen across the country. A few weeks back, two priests of the Catholic Church were kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna State.

Three days after they were taken by the gunmen, one of the priests was killed while the other was released by the bandits after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to them as ransom.

Reacting to the incident, President Muhammadu Buhari said he is deeply disturbed by the murder of the revered religious figure by outlaws who seem to be bent on creating chaos and disorder in the country.