By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu, CSSP, the priest in charge of Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbecho of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Benue State.
Public Relations Officer of the State, Superintendent of Police (SP) Catherine Anene in a statement on Thursday said, “Kidnap of a Rv. Father at Otukpo-Okwungaga road is confirmed and investigation is ongoing.”
Earlier in a statement on Wednesday, 6th July, 2022, the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, said the incident occurred at about 5pm along Otukpo-Ugbokolo road in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State, when the priest was on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga-Ugbokolo.
“The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond, to pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.
“We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors”, the statement reads in part.
National Record gathered that Rev. Fr. Amodu hails from Agbaha-Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State and was ordained parish priest in 2012 by the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr Michael Apochi.
Relatedly, Benue State Police Commissioner, CP Wale Abass, has ordered the deployment of adequate police officers across the state to beef up security for the peaceful celebration of Eid-el Kabir.
According to a statement by the State PPRO, Catherine Anene on Friday, the police officers have been deployed to provide security at all Muslim prayer grounds, event centres and all routes within the State during the celebration.
CP Abbas called on residents of the state to be law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the Police via emergency numbers: 0806-600-6475, 07067374913 and 8057493117.
