By Ovie Okpare
Rev. Fr. Jude Onyebadi, the abducted Catholic priest in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been released.
The Catholic father was alleged to have been kidnapped by gunmen suspected to herdsmen at his farm around the Isele-Uku/Issele-Mkpetime Road in Aniocha Council on Saturday.
Community source confirmed the release of the cleric to NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online.
Our source disclosed that Fr. Onyebadi was freed by his abductors around 4:30pm on Tuesday.
It was learnt that upon the priest’s release, he was rushed to a hospital around the Asaba axis of the state capital for medical treatment.
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It was not clear if the pastor sustained any injury during his ordeal in the hands of his captors.
Our source, however, could not confirmed if any ransom was paid to secure his release.
NDT reports that this was the second time the priest was being kidnapped by gunmen.
The priest was forcefully taken away at his farm on the Isele-Uku/Issele-Mkpetime Road on Saturday alongside three of his workers.
He had previously been abducted in 2018 which led to protest by Catholic priests in the Isele-Uku Catholic Diocese.
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He is the parish priest of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Issele-Azagba, a neighbouring community to Asaba, the state capital.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could not immediately confirmed the release of the victim.
Onovwakpoyeya, however, promised to investigate the development and call back with details. She was yet to call back at the time of filing this report.
