From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba of St Paul Parish, Agaliga-Efabo in Olamaboro local government of Kogi State has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The abduction took place last Saturday at Imane in Olamaboro local government Area.
Our Correspondent gathered that the Rev Father may have been abducted along with other yet to be identified commuters along Imane-Ogugu road.
The incident has thrown the entire Catholic family in the local government into confusion.
“Our confusion is high because since his abduction three days ago, his abductors have not made any contact to demand for ransom. But we are however confident that Almighty God will deliver him safely from the grip of the kidnappers. We believe strongly in the efficacy of our prayers, he will eventually regain his freedom” said one of the priests, Fr. Michael.
According to sources, security agencies comprising of Kogi East Neighborhood Watch (KENW), Police and troops have been combing the bushes and forests in the locality in trail of the kidnappers.
The abduction of the Rev Father is said to be the second incidences of kidnapping in one week within the same local government. “One Barrister A B Shaibu was Kidnapped on 7-09-2025 Sunday evening by Gunmen between Etieke and Okugoh in the same local government. His family paid the ransom before he was released to his family last Thursday.
When contacted for confirmation, Kogi State Police Command’s spokesman SP William Ovye Aya said he was not aware of the kidnap and promised to go into findings with the appropriate quarters
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Bar Association, Idah Branch, has called on Government at all levels to take adequate steps to address security concerns, particularly, the issue of incessant kidnappings going on in Kogi State, especially in the East Senatorial District
“We, the Nigerian Bar Association, Idah Branch, urgently call for drastic steps to address the alarming rate of insecurity in Kogi East. Recent incident, including the kidnapping of our member, A.B. Shuaib Esq, at Okugo in Olamaboro Local Government Area, and frequent abductions along Okura-Ojapata, Ochadamu-Itobe-Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road, and Ikeje-Aloma Road, underscore the dire need for enhanced security measures.
“It is expected that the Government will hearken to the cry of concerned citizens to address the issue of recurrent kidnappings going on in Kogi State” said Barr Michael
