…no Catholic priest was kidnapped in the State – Police
A yet-to-be identified man suspected to be a clergyman has been kidnapped by hoodlums at Nnobi roundabout in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victim, said to be driving in a Lexus FX 300 jeep with Anambra State plate number, was reportedly heading towards the Awka-Etiti direction when he was rounded up by the hoodlums.
The Daily Vendor gathered that the victim had stopped to buy fruits at the market when the hoodlums, trailing behind him shot sporadically in the air, disrupting activities at the market and street trading along the road.
An eyewitness who prefered anonymity said although no casualty was recorded, several persons sustained varying degrees of injury as they ran helter-skelter to different directions following the shootings.
The eyewitness said, “The victim who dressed in a clergy robe was still answering the call as he was buying the fruits when the assailants who were armed to the teeth double-crossed his vehicle with another car.
“The assailants forcefully bundled the man into their jeep leaving the victim’s car on the road before driving off. The car was still standing on the road facing the Awka-Etiti axis of the Nnobi Junction, as of this Tuesday morning.”
The victim’s vehicle was later driven off by security operatives suspected to be policemen from the Police command.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga described the report as untrue and sensational, saying no Catholic priest was kidnapped in the State.
He said, “To set the record straight, the command operatives got information about an abandoned white Lexus jeep with Reg. nos. GDD 882 PW by 8:30 pm, along Afor market junction, Nnobi road.
“The officers got to the scene and recovered the vehicle as they approached the police base, the owner of the vehicle came to the police station with proof of ownership, was identified and the vehicle was released to him.
“The victim claimed to have been abducted by yet unidentified men and was dispossessed of his personal belongings before his release.
“Meanwhile, investigation into the debriefings of the victim by operatives is still ongoing as the command wishes to state categorically that information gathered so far shows that he is not a clergyman or a priest.”
