BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City, Nigeria – At least four persons, including two suspected kidnappers died when gunmen abducted and killed the parish priest of St Michael Catholic church, Rev. Fr Christopher Odia last Sunday in lkhabigbo, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state.
According to reports, the Rev Father was in his rectory and about to go out to officiate mass on Sunday June 26, 2022 when the gunmen struck.
It was gathered that the casualties, included one Kabiru, the Rev. father’s domestic servant alleged to have organized the abduction, a hunter named Mallam Nurudeen Umosor, killed while chasing the kidnappers and one of the fleeing kidnappers apprehended by vigilante group and set ablaze by irate youths in the locality.
Unconfirmed reports said a mass server was among the victims.
The gallant hunter Mallam Nurudeen Umosor whom the locals now regard as a hero was said to have led other hunters to the forests in an attempt to rescue the abducted Rev Father.
It was further scooped that the said Kabiru, an old Fulani man in the community connived with four of his tribesmen in Aviele town to kidnap the Rev Father.
The bravery of the locals led to the apprehension of two of the kidnappers one of whom is said to be helping police in their investigation.
Confirming the ugly incident through a statement by the Deputy Public Relations Officer of Edo State Police Command, DSP Jennifer U. Iwegbu, the police stated that a serious bush combing was ongoing in the area towards apprehending other fleeing members of the kidnap-gang.
“Following the kidnap of the parish priest of St Michael Catholic church, lkhabigbo , Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state, Rev Father Christopher Odia in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday mass in the wee hours of 26/6/22, a combined Team of Police Tactical Teams, Jattu Divisional Police operatives and the local Vigilante team, led by the Divisional Police Officer, went into the forest with a view to rescuing the catholic priest.
“In fustration, the kidnapped Rev Father Christopher Odia was killed by his abductors. A Hunter identified as Mr Nurudeen was also shot dead in the process while the Superior fire power of the Police personnel who went on the trail of the kidnappers decimated one of them.
“Other gang members escaped with various gun shot injuries. Intensive bush combing is ongoing towards ensuring that those who escaped are arrested and made to face justice,” the statement added.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Abutu Yaro, while commiserating with the catholic community in Edo state and Nigeria urged the general public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses as security strategy has been put in place to ensure the arrest of the fleeing gang members.
CP Abutu further encouraged Edo state people not to relent in providing the police with prompt and useful information.
