Fulani Herdsmen Abduct Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr Jude Onyebadi On His Farm In Delta State, Demand N20M Ransom
The kidnappers of Rev. Jude Onyebadi of the Catholic Diocese of
Issele-Uku in Delta State have demanded N20 million ransom for his
release.
Onyebadi, who is the Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul Catholic
Church at Issele-Azagba, was kidnapped last Friday at his pineapple farm
between Ubulu-Uku and Issele-Uku communities by three gunmen suspected
to be Fulani herdsmen.
A renowned philanthropist, Onyebadi, has one of the biggest commercial pineapple farms in the state.
Sources said the cleric was dragged into the bush by his abductors.
The operation was said to have lasted a few minutes.
The hoodlums reportedly opened negotiations with a bosom friend
of the victim and initially demanded for N50 million before reducing it
to N20 million, following further negotiations.
But the Director of Communications of the diocese, Rev. Charles
Uganwa, said the church would not pay any ransom to the abductors.
Also, the police command assured that the cleric would soon be freed.
It urged the church and all those connected with him to cooperate with security operatives.
Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said his men were closing in on the hoodlums.
He said: “We are combing the bushes and, very soon, he will be
freed. I can assure you that we are monitoring the kidnappers who keep
shifting from one location to the other. But no matter how they may try
to hide, we will get them.
“We are not just going to rescue the victim. We will also ensure that the hoodlums are arrested and brought to justice.”
Source: NAN
