Catholic priest abducted while preparing for Mass

A Catholic Priest identified as Rev. Father Osia was abducted in Ikabigbo community in Etsako West local government of Edo State, on Sunday morning. The priest was said to be preparing for Sunday Mass when gunmen stormed his residence and whisked him away. A source within the community disclosed that the community vigilante group are already combing the bush to rescue the priest. He said the gunmen had shot one the community boys searching for the reverend father, adding that the victim was rushed to a hospital at Auchi but referred to Irrua specialist hospital for treatment. The traditional rulers of the community, Bramah Alegeh, who confirmed the development, said efforts were ongoing to get the priest released. He said the police and the army in collaboration with local vigilante were combing the bush to ensure his release. When contacted the Edo state command public relations officer, SP Chidi Nwanbor, said he would get back to our reporter. Meanwhile, two suspected armed robbers have been killed in a shootout with the police in Benin City, capital of Edo State. The suspects were said to have robbed a filling station in Benin metropolis on Sunday morning, before heading for another location where the police engaged them in a duel. The command’s spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying other members of the gang escaped with injuries. He said the police received information that armed robbers had invaded Rubec Oil and Gas Station located off Murtala Mohamed way Benin City. He said the police and Vigilante immediately mobilised to the scene and discovered that they had moved to another location. He said the security team trailed the robbers to their location, adding that on sighting the security team, the robbers opened fire. “In the process, two of the armed robbers were killed while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries,” he said in a statement. He added that the suspects were taken to the Police Cottage hospital where they were confirmed dead. (Daily Trust)