There has been confusion in parts of Kogi as Rev Father Leo Michael, the parish priest of the St Michael Catholic Church, Obajana area of the state, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
Also reportedly abducted, according to the Nigerian Tribune, are a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and a lecturer with the Kogi state college of education, Kabba, Samuel Aronimu.
The details of the abduction of the pastor and the lecturer were still sketchy at the time of this report.
But the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also quotes his colleague and diocesan chancellor in Lokoja, Peter Adinoyi, confirmed the kidnap to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday, July 26.
Adinoyi said that the priest was returning to Obajana when he was kidnapped at a spot around the Irepeni village, Okene-Lokoja road. He said the matter has been promptly reported at the Irepeni police station.
The reverend father said that the army and the Department of the State Security (DSS) were also aware of the development. Adinoyi, however, said that the kidnappers, on July 25, called some members of the church to demand a N50 million ransom for the release of their priest.
According to him, the kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N20 million and further reduced it to N8 million. Adinoyi added that the kidnappers gave the church up till 1pm on July 26, to pay the ransom. They reportedly threatened to relocate the priest should the church fail to meet the deadline.
Adinoyi said that the church was unable to meet the deadline for the payment of the ransom demanded. He called on security agents to assist in rescuing the cleric from his abductors just as he decried the incessant kidnapping of the less privileged in the state, describing the situation as unfortunate.
The spokesperson of the police command in Kogi state, DSP William Aya, said that he was not aware of the incident. He promised to find out and call back, but failed at the time of this report.
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