The Catholic Diocese of Lokoja has condemned the kidnap of its Priest at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Obangede, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Rev. Fr. Christopher Itopa Onotu was reported to have been kidnapped by yet to be identified persons at his residence in Obangege on Saturday night.
Kidnapped Priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Itopa Onotu
The Diocese in a statement obtained by The Drum Reporters and signed by Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Okechukwu Okafor, the Diocesan Chancellor demanded for his immediate release.
“The Church condemns this kidnap in the strongest terms and asks for his immediate release. The Church equally wishes to call on the Government of Kogi State to strengthen security as the events of the past three weeks in Kabba and Okene show that the security apparatus has been compromised.
“The Diocese wish to call on Parishioners, the Clergy and Religious to be more security conscious and prayerfully remain with the Church in this trying times and for God to give the security agencies the wisdom and determination to secure the release of FR. Christopher Itopa ONOTU.
The statement further states that “This sad event has shown clearly that the security architecture of our dear state is weak and in need of urgent attention. As it is now, we rely only on God for security because the government has continued to fail in her responsibility to secure human lives and property.”
