AFRICA/NIGERIA – Father Leo Raphael Ozigi’s release confirmed; two priests still in the hands of the kidnappers

AFRICA/NIGERIA – Father Leo Raphael Ozigi’s Release Confirmed; Two priests remain in the hands the kidnappers

Abuja (Agenzia Fides – Father Leo Raphael Ozigi was released from Sarkin Pawa Village in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State. He was kidnapped Sunday, March 27th. (see Fides, 29/3/2022).
This information was provided to Agenzia Fides from Father Patrick Tor Alumuku who is Director of Social Communications of Abuja and Director of “Catholic Television of Nigeria”. He said he had contacted Minna, which confirmed the priest’s release and stated that no ransom payment was made by the Church.
Fr. Patrick. He says, “This does not prohibit family members and friends from taking steps towards finding the sum demanded”
Sources from the Diocese Minna state that “a member” of the priest’s household was involved in negotiations and the release. The kidnappers had no idea that Father Leo Raphael was Catholic priest.
Father Ozigi was released by Kaduna Zaria on April 8. According to media sources the priest was being held hostage in a forest area in Kaduna state. He was then taken to another location. Two other priests were abducted from Nigeria in March, Father Ozigi and Father Joseph Akete Bako. Both priests hail from the northern state Kaduna. Father Joseph Akete Bako was a parish priest at St John’s Church Kudenda. He was kidnapped in a forest in Kaduna Sud on March 8. The attack on the parish house, in which one person was killed, took place on March 8. (see Fides 9/3/2022). Fr. Felix Zakari Fidson was abducted from the Diocese Zaria on March 24. (see Fides. 25/3/2022). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 11/4/2022)

Share: