Catholic priest kidnapped in Delta regains freedom

Samuel Agwameseh, a Catholic priest kidnapped along Onicha-Olona in Aniocha north local government area of Delta state, has regained freedom.

Agwameseh, who is the parish priest of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Issele-Mkpitime, was reportedly abducted on Saturday.

Charles Uganwa, director of social communication of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, had said the priest was on his way to Onicha-Olona to produce the church’s Sunday bulletin when the incident happened.

“The priest was returning to his base at Issele-Mkpitime when he was attacked by Fulani herdsmen and whisked away to an unknown location,” he had said.

“He was returning from Onicha-Olona where he had gone to produce the last Sunday’s church bulletin for his parish when the kidnappers ambushed his car.”

On Monday, Ugawa confirmed that the priest had been released by his abductors.

He said the kidnappers had earlier requested a ransom of N20 million but, according to him, the Catholic Church does pay ransom for any priest kidnapped.

Kidnappers have targetted Catholic priests across the country. Last week, some priests who were abducted in Ondo state were released after five days in captivity.