Gunmen kidnap priest and seminarian, demand N50m as ransom in Abia

Rev. Fr. Chinedu Nwadike, a Catholic priest, has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Abia State.

On Friday, August 12, 2022, Nwadike, the Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Nneochi (SUN), and Emmanuel Nwafor, a seminarian, were taken hostage on the Umunnochi-Ihube route by the Enugu-Okigwe road.

It was gathered that their abductors have contacted their families and demanded a N50m ransom.

“Rev. Fr. Dr. Chinedu Nwadike, (Cssp), from Umuezeanoruo Eziama, Nkwerre LGA, Imo State and a young Seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor (Pre Postulant), were on Friday, 12th August, 2022 kidnapped on their way to Enugu State, Umunnochi area, along Enugu-Okigwe Road,” a family source told Punch.

“Both are members of the Holy Ghost Congregation missionaries, living their lives of sacrifice and selflessness in service to a better society. He is currently the deputy registrar of SUN (Spiritan University Nneochi).” the source added.

Another source said Fr Nwadike was kidnapped shortly after driving out of the gate of his university, Spiritan University Nneochi (SUN), on his way to Enugu.

“This is the second attempt to kidnap him in very recent time. In the first attempt, they shot directly at him but he managed to escape, but this time they succeeded and are said to be demanding a ransom of N50m. Curiously a military check point is located around the place.”