Metro

Again, Two Catholic Priests Abducted In Edo

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2022

Two Catholic Priests identified as Rev. Father Peter Udo of St Patrick’s Catholic church Uromi in Eaan North East and Rev. Father Philemon Oboh of St Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area, both in Edo Central senatorial district have been kidnapped.

They were kidnapped on Saturday along the Benin/Ekpoma Road in the same Edo State.

This is barely one week after a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia of St. Michael Catholic church Ikabigbo in Etsako West local government area of Edo state was kidnapped and killed by his abductors.

The two Catholic priests were said to have been kidnapped between Ehor and Iruekpen along the Benin- Ekpoma Express Way on their way to Uromi from Benin city, the Edo state capital.

It was gathered that the two clergymen had attended a programme in Benin city on Saturday, July 2, 2022 and were returning to base when their vehicle rammed into some unknown gunmen who violently intercepted their car.

The suspected gun men were said to have fired several gun shots into the air which forced the car that had the two Catholic priests to stop.

The two priests were allegedly forced into the bush by the gun men and as at press time , the said kidnappers were yet to call for ransom.

Confirming the report, Edo State Police Command spokesman, Chidi Nwanbuzor, said “the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugboha police Division has called to inform that one Rev Father Amos Abhulimen on Saturday came to the station to report the kidnap of the two Rev Fathers.

“Based on the report, the state Commissioner of Police Abutu Yaro, has dispatched a team of policemen as a reinforcement to the men of Ugboha division to go for the rescue of the two Catholic Priests unhurt and get the kidnappers arrested.”

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

9 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

9 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.