ABDUCTED BENUE PRIEST RELEASED, GIVEN #4000 FOR TREATMENT

The Otukpo Catholic Diocese priest, Rev. Fr. David Echioda, who was kidnapped on Sunday has been released by his abductors.

This was made known by the director of communications, Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. John Okopopu, on Wednesday. He said that the kidnappers released the priest on Tuesday around 6:30, apologised to him and informed him that he was not their target.

The Rev. Fr. said that the abductors told the victim that he was wrongly abducted as they initially planned to kidnap a top politician who they had information would be passing the route around 2:00 pm on Sunday. They waited until around 4:00 pm and did not see their target.

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The director of communication said that the priest ran into the gunmen numbering six who were armed with sophisticated weapons.

“Unfortunately, when the gunmen could not see their target, they began to rob and the priest was the first to run into them and they dispossessed him of his belongings including the church’s money.

“They forced him into his vehicle – three men in the front, three at the back while one was searching the priest. All of them carried AK-47 and were speaking Hausa.

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“Although the priest understands Hausa and communicated with them in Hausa, they tortured and later released him with an apology that he was not their target.

He was given 4000 naira to treat himself.