HOW GUNMEN ABDUCTED CATHOLIC PRIEST IN DELTA STATE.

A catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Irikefe, has allegedly been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Delta State.

 Father Irikefe, a lecturer with Saint’s Peter and Paul Catholic Major Seminary in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, was said to have been kidnapped on Monday evening within the Warri/Effurun metropolis


The priest, who became a catholic priest on  December 8, 2011, was said to be driving on a colleague’s car when the incident occurred.

 He was said to have arrived the state on Monday afternoon to attend the burial of his friend and colleague, Rev. Fr. Amaefule Chike.

Our correspondent learnt that his car was waylaid while returning from a vigil mass for the late catholic father, who was buried (Tuesday) at the Agbarho Pastoral Centre, Ughelli North.

 This is coming barely three weeks after another catholic priest, Very Rev. Fr. Magnus Alim, survived gunshot attack from a failed kidnapping attempt in the state.

Several catholic priests contacted by our correspondent confirmed Irikefe’s abduction but refused to give details of the incident including the exact location he was attacked.

 A priest, who preferred not to be mentioned at the Directorate of Communication, Warri Diocese, confirmed the abduction but also refused to give details of the incident. He called on Nigerians including this reporter to pray for his release.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Celestina Kalu, in a reply to an inquiry said “the priest’s venue of kidnapped is not known or confirmed.”