Nigeria: Prayers for kidnapped priest and his abductors

Fr Emmanuel Akingbade

A Nigerian bishop has asked the community to pray for the safe return of their parish priest, who was abducted last week. He also appealed for prayers for the kidnappers. Fr Emmanuel Akingbade, the pastor of St Benedict of Ido-Elkit , seized on 8 June. According to the person who was with Fr Akingbade at the time of the seizure, the criminals had asked the priest 20 million Naira if he wanted to avoid being kidnapped.

Mgr Felix Ajakaye, Bishop of Ekiti, celebrated a special Mass in St Patrick's Cathedral in Abuja, last Thursday, to ask for divine intervention to convince the kidnappers to release Fr Akingbade and other hostages in the region. Fr Clement Ogunlusi, pastor of the cathedral, expressed his concern about the strong state of insecurity in the Country but also asked the faithful not to curse the kidnappers but to pray for them to convert.

The Diocese of Ekiti and Fr Akingbade's family have not been contacted by the kidnappers yet, but ransom requests have been received by other members of the public from the kidnappers using the priest's mobile phone.

The Diocese have asked the faithful not to enter into negotiations with the kidnappers.

Source: Fides