Some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have kidnapped a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Joseph Ajayi, along Akure/Ikere -Ekiti road on Monday evening.
The Reverend Father who was said to be returning to Ilara-Mokin from Ikere-Ekiti in his Toyota Corolla Sedan vehicle was stopped by the hoodlums and was subsequently abducted along the road.
A family source, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the incident occurred on Monday while the clergyman was returning to Akure from Ekiti State.
He said the Ajayi was expected to return to Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday before he was attacked and abducted by the gunmen to an undisclosed location.
The 49-year-old reverend father was said to be traveling alone and was returning to his parish when the incident happened.
According to the source, the assailants have not contacted any of the members, while the vehicle remains at the crime scene.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of Ajayi by some unknown gunmen.
The Secretary to the Bishop of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, Jude Arogundade, Rev. Fr. Victor Ibiyemi, who confirmed the incident said the abductors had contacted the church demanding a sum of N20 million ransom.
“We are on it since morning, they (kidnappers) have contacted the church, demanding N20 million,” the cleric disclosed.
All efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, on the telephone, were not successful as her telephone was ringing without being picked.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune