2 Catholic Priests, Italian Kidnapped In Edo Set Free

By Press Unit

The marching orders handed down to security agencies by Edo State Acting Governor, Philip Shaibu, for the rescue of two Catholic Priests recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen, has yielded positive results as the two Priests have been rescued unhurt by security operatives.

The Priests, Reverend Father Udo Peter of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Uromi and Reverend Father Philemon Oboh of Saint Joseph Retreat Center, Ugboha in Esan South-East were abducted along the Benin-Auchi Expressway, between Ehor and Iruekpen.

The Italian, Reverend Father Luigi Brena of Somascan Father’s Community was abducted along Siloko Iguobazuwa Road. He was released last Sunday.

Against the backdrop of the upsurge in kidnapping in the State, the Acting Governor, after a series of meetings with security stakeholders, demonstrated Government’s resolve to rejig its security architecture.

Shaibu, who was obviously furious, gave security chiefs, the marching order to ensure the release of the abducted Priests.

After series of meetings with stakeholders, Shaibu also assured Edo people and residents that “we will not back down on our massive and aggressive war declared on common criminals and enemies of the people who have brought unrest into our State”, he noted.

@views exclusive rights: Press Unit, Government House, Benin City, July 6, 2022.