Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Edo; church rejects ransom bid to free him

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Catholic Priest, Rev. Lawrence Adorolo, in Edo State.

Rev. Adorolo, who is‎ the Parish Priest of St. Benedict Church, Iddo 2, Okpella of Auchi Diocese, was abducted along Auchi-Okene highway at about 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday while returning from Igarra in Akoko-Edo LGA of the state.

The priest was driving in his Mercedes 350 ML, dressed in his white Cassock and accompanied by a boy when he was abducted.

The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Bishop Gabriel Dunia, has said it will not pay ransom to abductors of the Parish Priest of St. Benedict Church, Iddo 2, Okpella, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Adorolo.

“The abductors have made contact with the church for ransom. The church does not pay ransom as it is not a profit-making organization. The diocese is calling for unconditional release of the priest. We are holding a mass for the unconditional release of the priest,” said Dunia.