Gunmen on Sunday morning kidnaped a Catholic priest Reverend Father Osia in Ikabigbo community in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The priest was said to have been preparing for Sunday mass when gunmen invaded his residence and took him away.
A source told Punch that the kidnappers shot a young man who made attempts to look for the Reverend Father, adding that the victim had been taken to hospital for treatment.
He added that the vigilantes in the community were searching the area as well as combing the bush to assure they rescue the priest.
“The kidnappers came with complicated weapons and took away the Reverend Father while he was preparing for the morning mass. It was sad. One of the boys who tried to look for the cleric was shot and he is currently in hospital,” the source said.
The traditional ruler of the community, Bramah Alegeh, who confirmed the incident, clarified that efforts were ongoing to assure the release of the Catholic priest.
He additional confirmed that the Army, in teamwork with local vigilantes were combing the bush to assure the release of the cleric.