Gunmen invade church in Akwa Ibom, kidnap priest

Gunmen have invaded a Catholic church at Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, kidnapping a priest identified as Father Alphonsus Uboh

Daily Trust learnt that the gunmen had been laying siege to some communities in Oruk Anam and Mkpat Enin local government areas of the state, abducting 19 persons in six months.

It was learnt that residents of the areas and other adjoining villages were being robbed daily while shop owners, civil servants and local businessmen were being kidnapped for ransom.

Father Uboh is the Parish Priest of X Parish located at Ikot Abasi Akpan along Ekparakwa-Etinan road in Mkpat Enin.

It was gathered that the gunmen arrived at the church premises of Father Uboh at 7pm on Sunday night in a motorcycle convoy, forced their way into the church premises and whisked the priest away on their motorcycle after shooting into the air to scare away the people.

The incident happened barely two weeks after the Founder and President of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko, was kidnapped in his residence. He was later freed after spending four days in the kidnappers’ den and a ransom paid.

Investigation revealed that the Catholic Priest alongside 18 other victims had been kidnapped in the area between November 2021 and May 2022.

Reacting to the kidnap trend, a top police officer in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident was alarming and giving the Police sleepless night.

Confirming the kidnap of the priest, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Mcdon, said they were working to tackle the activities of gunmen in the area.

“We have received the report from that area and we are working on it,”  he said.

The affected communities include Ekparakwa, villages along Ekparakwa/Ikot Abasi road in Oruk Anam local government area, and Ikot Ebak, Ikot Akaam, Ibekwe Akpan axis in Mkpat local government area.