Gunmen, who abducted the parish priest of St. Michael Catholic Church, Obajana, Kogi State, Rev. Fr. Leo Michael, have demanded N8 million ransom. The Diocesan Chancellor, Lokoja Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Adinoyi, who confirmed the kidnap in Lokoja yesterday, disclosed the deadline for the payment of the ransom, which was reduced from N50 million to N8 million, was yesterday. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the priest was returning to Obajana from Okene when he was kidnapped at Irepeni village on Okene-Lokoja Road. According to him, the matter has been reported at the Irepeni Police Station.
He added that the Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) were also aware of the development. However, Adinoyi said that the kidnappers on July 25 called some members of the church to demand a N50 million ransom for the release of their priest. He said that the kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N20 million and further reduced it to N8 million.
Adinoyi said that the kidnappers gave the church up till 1p.m. yesterday to pay the ransom and threatened to relocate the priest should the church failed to meet the deadline. He said the church was unable to meet the deadline for the payment of the ransom, calling on the security agents to assist in rescuing the cleric from his abductors.
Adinoyi also decried the incessant kidnapping of the less privileged in the state, describing the situation as unfortunate. The state Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP William Aya, said that he was not aware of the incident and promised to find out and call back. However, he failed to call back as at the time of this report.
