By Muhammad Mamman
Gunmen have kidnapped Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba, parish priest of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Agaliga, along with several unidentified commuters on the Imane–Ogugu road in Kogi State.
The abduction, which occurred over the weekend, has thrown the local Catholic community into distress. Fr. Michael, a fellow cleric, said no contact or ransom demand had been made three days after the incident but expressed confidence that prayers would secure his release.
Security operatives, including the Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch, police, and troops, are reportedly combing forests in the area in search of the priest and other victims.
This marks the second kidnapping in the local government within a week. On 7 September, gunmen abducted barrister A.B. Shaibu between Etieke and Okugoh. He was released after his family reportedly paid a ransom.
Kogi State Police Command spokesman, SP Williams Aya, said the headquarters had not yet been formally briefed on the latest abduction.
