Attah Ede, Makurdi
Suspected kidnappers on Saturday night, attacked St. Mary Immaculate Church located at Aho Owukpa in Ogbadibo local government area of Benue State and Kidnapped a cook attached to the priest in charge of the parish.
A source from the area told our correspondent that, the armed men stormed the community at about 9am last night.
According to the source who do not want his name mentioned in print, the suspected kidnappers went straight to the official residence of the Reverend Father of St. Mary Immaculate Church immediately they gained entrance into the church premises,
The source further gathered that the kidnappers wasted no time in taken away the priest’s cook when they could not find their prime target on the church premises.
“The incident happened around evening on Saturday, the village was thrown into confusion when the gunmen suddenly stormed the area and went straight to the Reverend Father’s residence.
“Unfortunately, they did not see him and they (gunmen) decided whisk away a lady found on the premises, to unknown destination ”
“Uptill now that Iam talking with you, they(gunmen) have not established contact with the church authority or open negotiation with anybody. So we are still waiting for them”.
Confirming the incident, the executive chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council, Prince Samuel Onu, said that there attack on the church but said normalcy has returned to the area.
“Yes, there was an attack yesterday (Saturday) evening, some people came and took away the priest’s cook.
“The incident has been reported to the police and the situation in the area is calm now because some soldiers came to the place from a nearby checkpoint,” Onu said.
When contacted, the state’s Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, said she did not have the report.
“I don’t have this information, please,” Anene said
