Catholic Priest Kidnapped, Demands N20 Million Ransom

Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped a 49-year-old priest, Reverend Father Joseph Ajayi, along the Akure-Ikere highway in Ondo state.

A family source who disclosed the incident stated that the abduction happened on Monday while the Reverend Father was traveling on the highway in his Toyota Corolla car.

GoldenNewsNg gathered that Rev. Fr. Ajayi who was coming from Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State was on his way to his parish, St Peter Claver in Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“He was on his way to Ilara-Mokin where his parish is situated before he was attacked and and taken away by yet-to-be-identified persons to an undisclosed location.

“His vehicle was abandoned at the spot where they took him,” the source said.

The priest was said to be traveling alone when he was intercepted his abductors.

Confirming the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo through the Bishop of the Diocese, Jude Arogundade, Rev. Fr. Victor Ibiyemi, on Tuesday evening said the abductors had contacted the church, demanding the sum of N20 million ransom.

“We are on it since morning. They have contacted the church, demanding N20 million,” the Bishop confirmed.

Meanwhile, effort to speak to the police image-maker in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami was unsuccessful as she did not pick nor return calls made to her mobile phone.