28th September, 2017
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
A Catholic priest, Lawrence Adorolo, was on Wednesday abducted by unknown gunmen, along Auchi-Okpella-highway, in Edo State.
The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Rev. Gabriel Dunia, disclosed this to journalists at a press conference held in Auchi, Etsako West local government area of Edo on Thursday.
Dunia who condemned the abduction of the cleric, added that the abductors committed an abominable act by keeping a priest who offered selfless service to God and humanity for ransom.
“Rev Adorolo was on his way back from Auchi to his parish at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Okpella, when he was abducted by unkown gunmen at the bad spot near Okpella, at about 6 pm on Wednesday.
“The abductors have made contact with the church for ransom. The church does not pay ransom as it is not a profit making organisation,” he said.
“The diocese is calling for an unconditional release of the priest. We are holding a mass for the unconditional release of the priest,” he said.
Edo State Police Command Spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who also confirmed the abduction of the priest to journalists on phone, disclosed that no arrest had been made so far.
He, however, said that more operatives of the Command had been deployed to the region to give back up to the mobile policemen on ground.