Four people, including priest, kidnapped in southern Nigeria

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WARRI, NIGERIA: A Catholic priest and three other persons were kidnapped in Nigeria’s Delta state Tuesday night, according to local media.

Fr. Emmanuel Obadjere and his companions were taken hostage by unknown gunmen on November 6 while on their way to Ekpoma, in neighbouring Edo state.

Fr. Obadjere is a priest of the Diocese of Warri, whose website says he was ordained June 26, 2008.

He is pastor of St. William’s parish in Orerokpe, about 10 miles northeast of Warri. It is at least 100 miles from Orerokpe to Epkoma.

Delta Commissioner of Police Muhammad Mustafa told the media that a suspect has been arrested.

Last month, five nuns were abducted in Delta.

At least six priests have been kidnapped in the state this year.

Violence against Christians has significantly increased in Nigeria in recent years, with the radical Islamist group Boko Haram threatening safety in the north, and smaller violent gangs threatening security in the south.

Source: Catholic News Agency