Two Catholic Priests Kidnapped In Delta

Two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Raphael Ogigbah, the parish priest of St. Francis Catholic Parish in Agbarha-Otor in the Catholic Diocese of Warri, and Rev. Fr. Kunav Chochos, a missionary priest of the Schoenstartt Fathers, were kidnapped on Saturday night, April 29 in front of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Agbarha-Otor in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Rev. Fr. Kunav Chochos, a priest who works and resides in Ibadan, Oyo State, had visited Fr. Raphael Ogigbah, a fellow priest and friend, at Agbarha-Otor, not far from Ughelli. Later, the two priests visited a fellow priest friend at a nearby parish. The alleged kidnappers stopped their car as they were returning and took them to an unidentified location.

In a statement issued on Sunday, April 30, Very Rev. Fr. Okereke Kingsley Kizito, the Delegate Superior of the Schoenstartt Fathers, confirmed the occurrence saying;

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is with great pain and concern that we come to you with this sad notice. Our brother, Fr. Chochos Kunav, Schoenstartt Fathers, lives and works in Ibadan. However, he traveled to Warri yesterday to visit his friend, Fr. Raphael Ogigbah of the Catholic Diocese of Warri and the Parish priest of St. Francis Catholic Church Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North, Delta State.

Unfortunately, after a short visit to the priest in a nearby parish, both Fr. Chochos Kunav and Fr. Raphael Ogigbah were kidnapped last night on their way back to the parish of Fr. Raphael Ogigbah. The incidents occurred on the road, in front of the Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor. We ask for intense prayers for quick and safe release.”the statement read in part

The state police command's spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the event and added that authorities are looking for the kidnappers.