– A Roman Catholic priest, Rev Father Felix Akpan, has been abducted by hoodlums on his way back from work in Akwa Ibom state
– Akpan’s fellow priest discloses that the kidnappers are yet to establish contact with the church on ransom
– The police authorities in Akwa Ibom state are on the trail of the kidnappers and have made some arrests
The police have made some arrest in connection with the disappearance of Rev Father Felix Akpan.
A Roman Catholic priest of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, in Akwa Ibom state has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
READ ALSO: Woman steals baby from church after pretending to be a friend of the family (photo)
The Punch reports that Rev Father Felix Akpan was abducted by yet-to-be identified gunmen along Abak-Ukanafun Road.
According to reports, Father Akpan is in-charge of St. Michael De Archangel Parish at Ikot Etim in Ukanafun local government area and also teaches at Top Faith International School, Mkpatak in Essien Udim LGA.
A local resident, who witnessed the incident, said the priest was kidnapped by the gunmen when he was returning from the school where he teaches.
“The criminals blocked him on his way back from his school at Mkpatak, Essien Udim Local Government Area along Abak-Ukanafun Road while returning to his Parish in Ikot Etim, Ukanafun LGA.
“They forced him out of his SUV at gunpoint and bundled him into their car and sped off,” the resident said.
Akpan’s fellow priest, who did not want his name in print, disclosed that the kidnappers were yet to establish contact with the church on ransom.
He said the church has resorted to prayers for the priest’s safe release.
The police authorities in the state have also confirmed
The state police commissioner, Mr Donald Awunah, said a crack team of police detectives have been deployed to ensure that the priest is released unharmed.
The police boss said the priest’s SUV had been recovered at a mechanic garage, adding that some suspects who took custody of the vehicle have been arrested.
READ ALSO: How Fulani gunmen threatened to kill me over ransom – Kidnapped DSS official
He said: “We are closing in on them. We have recovered his car in a mechanic garage and arrested those who had the custody of the vehicle; they are now helping us in our investigation.
“The Nigeria Police Force will remain cautious with the investigation to ensure that the priest regains his freedom without any harm.”
Awunah urged the public to always cooperate with the police by volunteering useful information on criminal elements in their neighbourhoods.
In another related development, the Nigerian police has said it recovered two houses from a gang that kidnapped the secretary of Isheri North Estate Residents Association in Lagos Dayo Adekoya.
The police in a statement signed its spokesperson Jimoh Moshood Joseph Omoni was arrested after unrelenting follow up by the inspector general of police’s intelligence response team.
Moshood said the team trailed to Ogijo town in Ogun state were they were arrested.
He said the suspect’s confessional statement indicated the level of his involvement and leading role in the kidnap of Adekoya.
0naze
No comments:
Post a Comment