Tension mounts as bandits kidnap another Catholic priest in Kaduna

.Edo acting gov meets security chiefs over two abducted priests

.Diri harps on State Police, devolution of powers

Temper rose among some faithful in parts of Kaduna state Monday following the kidnap of another priest of the Catholic Church by bandits in Kauru Local Government Area of the state.

This is coming barely 48 hours after gunmen abducted two Catholic priests in Edo State.

However, the latest victim, Reverend Father Emmanuel Silas, was kidnapped from the parish rectory of Saint Charles Catholic Church, Zambina in Kauru Local Government Area within the early hours of Monday.

The incident comes less than two weeks after the priest in charge of the Kaduna Polytechnic Catholic community; Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo, was killed on his farm at Kujama in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State which continues to generate concerns among the people.

Also recently, a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, abducted by gunmen, was killed in Ikabigbo in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Meanwhile, the Police are yet to comment on the latest incident, but the Chancellor of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, confirmed the abduction, saying that they were able to know about the kidnap when the priest did not show up for the early morning Mass on Monday.

He, however, solicited prayers for the immediate and safe release of the abducted priest, adding that the Catholic Community will use all available legal means to ensure the release of the kidnapped Rev. Father.

The Chancellor said: “it is with great pain that we announce to you the kidnapping of our Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Silas. The event occurred in the early hours of July 04, 2022, when he could not turn up for morning Mass.

“He was abducted from the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“We solicit for an intense prayer for his quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands.

“We will use every legitimate means to ensure his quick and safe release.May Jesus crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and all other kidnapped persons.”

Similarly, the Police authorities in Edo State have confirmed the kidnap of two Catholic priests which occurred on Saturday night around Ehor and Iruekpen communities along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.

In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Edo, Chid iNwabuzor, identified the victims as Rev. Fr.Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Uromi, and Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Barely a week before the incident, gunmen had  abducted and killed Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia of St. Michael Catholic Church, lkhabigbo in Etsako Local Government A reaof Edo State.

Nwabuzor, while narrating the latest incident, said one Reverend Father Amos Abhulimen of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Ugboha informed the police of the abduction of his colleagues.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police Edo, Abutu Yaro, has dispatched security operatives to the area with a view to rescuing the clergymen and arresting the kidnappers.

Edo Acting governor meets security chiefs, assures security in churches, communities

Meanwhile,Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Monday, said the government is strengthening its security architecture and reviewing strategies to guarantee the safety and security of residents across communities in the state.

Shaibu said this while addressing journalists after an emergency State Security Council meeting held at the Government House, Benin City.

 The emergency meeting followed the kidnapping of two catholic priests along Benin-Auchi Road at the Ekpoma axis, in Edo State.

The Acting governor said, “We are working to secure our churches and communities. We are looking beyond securing the churches alone but focusing on securing our communities and state.

“There is work in progress and we have discussed a whole lot of security issues and in the coming weeks, things will surely change in the state to ensure a secured environment for Edo people.”

On his part, the Edo State Police Commissioner, AbutuYaro, said the security situation of the state has been reviewed at the Security Council meeting and measures have been adopted to secure and make the state safe for all.

He noted, “We have just finished our emergency Security Council meeting and have reviewed the security situation at the moment and the overall security of the state and have adopted measures that are relevant to the needs of the moment and that of the future.

“We wish to inform you and all persons in the state and beyond that the Edo State Government is on top of the situation and people should be reassured that despite the situation at the moment, the state is stable and under control.”

The Police Commissioner said security agencies in the state are working round the clock to secure the release of the kidnapped catholic priests.

Also, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Oyenude Kure called for prayers from Christians in the state, urging them to support the government’s efforts at improving security across the state.

Gov. Diri harps on State Police, devolution of powers

Similarly, Governor DouyeDiri of Bayelsa State has again advocated the need for the states of the federation to be allowed to establish their own police to fight rising insecurity across the country.

Diri spoke during the gala night to wrap up the 2022 Ijaw Diaspora Convention in Newark, New Jersey State in the United States of America (USA), according to a statement on Monday issued by his Director, New Media, Kola Oredipe.

He insisted on the restructuring of the country and devolution of powers to the state, urging the Federal Government to respect the principles of a federal system of government that was fashioned after the US democratic system where equity, fairness and justice remained the order of the day.

He said, “The security challenges are there in Nigeria and that is why some of us are asking for restructuring of Nigeria. There has to be devolution of powers to the States. Right here in the US, I can see policemen who are not federal but under the jurisdiction of their respective States.

“That is the federal system. In Nigeria, why can’t we have state-owned policemen. State Government should be allowed, and that will contribute to security in the country.”

Diri said the current administration in Bayelsa was investing massively in security to create enabling environment for investment to thrive, stressing that the state was also endowed with arable land.

He told the forum that tremendous progress was being made in the ongoing construction of the three senatorial roads to connect far-flung riverine communities and all the local government headquarters by road.

The governor also said that his administration had also improved the security architecture of the state with the establishment of the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps headed by a retired brigadier-general.

He urged the Ijaws in diaspora to work closely with the national executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and add their voices to trending national debates while promoting the culture of the fourth largest ethic group in the country.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, called for unity among Ijaw people and advised those in diaspora to contribute to the development of Bayelsa.

The President of Ijaw Diaspora Council, Professor Mondy Gold, expressed the appreciation of the council to the governor and other top Ijaw leaders for their attendance and participation, saying that the forum has formed a strong network across the globe to stand firmly together for the progress of Ijaw nation.

At the event, the Ijaw Diaspora Council honouredDiri for his passion for the development and unity of Ijaw nation as well as post-humouslyhonoured notable Ijaw leaders including, Chief J. M. James MoruEgbuson, Chief Lawrence ReigbuduNabena, King S.P.U. Ogan, Sen. AmaitariZuofa, Chief Nicholas AboFrank-Opigo, and Dr. Taribo James Sekibo, MFR.