The Rev. John Adeyi, vicar general of Otukpo Diocese, Benue state, Nigeria. (Morning Star News)
JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – The body of a Roman Catholic priest kidnapped two months ago in central Nigeria was found today in bushes near a local government building in Otukpo, Benue state.
A church leader at the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo told Morning State News by phone that the body of the Rev. John Adeyi, vicar-general of the Otukpo Diocese, was found earlier today. Unknown gunmen kidnapped him on April 24.
“The body was in decaying state, and policemen and Christian villagers are at the scene where the corpse was found,” the church leader, who requested anonymity, said two hours after the discovery. “They are currently making effort to move the corpse from the back of the Education Authority office in the town to a morgue.”
Speaking from the site where the body was found, the church official added that, “the body of the priest was dumped by his kidnappers at the place it was found.”
Adeyi was kidnapped at gunpoint while traveling from Otukpo to Ogbokolo for pastoral duties. His abductors contacted church officials and demanded 25 million naira (US$121,224) as ransom, according to a parishioner who requested anonymity. Some 2 million naira (US$9,700) had been paid, according to one unconfirmed press report.
The kidnappers had contacted the bishop of Otukpo Diocese to demand the ransom, the church member said.
“The kidnappers used the mobile phone of the Very Rev. Adeyi to contact our bishop,” he said.
Adeyi also served St. Bernard’s Catholic Parish, Okpoga in Okpokwu.
The bishop of Otukpo Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Michael Apochi, could not be reached for comment as he was said to be involved in the evacuation of the corpse.
Paul Yakadi, police commissioner of Benue state, confirmed the death of Adeyi but declined to give further details.
In a sermon at an event in Abuja in October 2011, Adeyi urged Catholics to always pray for their priests because of the many challenges they face. Preaching at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral, Garki, Abuja, on Oct. 28, 2011, Adeyi said that in spite of the many challenges, priests will not give up but are determined to run the race of faith to the end.
If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit https://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.
If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?
###
© 2016 Morning Star News. Articles/photos may be reprinted with credit to Morning Star News.
Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that relies solely on contributions to offer original news reports of persecuted Christians. By providing reliable news on the suffering church, Morning Star News’ mission is to empower those in the free world to help and to encourage persecuted Christians that they are not forgotten or alone. For free subscription or to make tax-deductible donations, contact [email protected], or send check to Morning Star News, 34281 Doheny Park Rd., # 7022, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624, USA.
-
- he Rev. John Adeyi, vicar general of Otukpo Diocese, Benue state, Nigeria. (Morning Star News)
Speak Your Mind