BENUE: AFTER 6 DAYS OF CAPTIVITY, A CATHOLIC PRIEST IS FREED BY POLICE

After being held captive for six days, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adikwu, a priest in the Diocese of Otukpo who was abducted by unknown gunmen last Thursday, has been freed.
In a conversation with our Makurdi-based journalist on Wednesday, SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, confirmed his rescue.

Recall that on June 16, 2023, a kidnapping occurred in the parish house involving Rev. Fr. Adikwu, the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish in Ajegbe Awume, Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State.
Anene claimed that as soon as the command received the information on Friday morning, it sprang into action and sent personnel to the scene.

According to reports, Operation Zenda’s Special Joint Task Force Unit was sent to the area by the state’s chief of police, CP Julius Okoro, under the command of CSP Justine Gberidyer.
Our correspondent learned that on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the kidnappers were forced to release the priest when Operation Zenda soldiers gave them the run for their life.
“Our crew has been present there for a while since then. The pressure put on the kidnappers by our team is what ultimately caused them to release him.

She said, “They freed him under pressure.
According to our correspondent, the priest’s kidnapping was the second in a string of abductions that occurred in Benue last week.