By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Raphael Ogigbah, Parish priest of St. Francis Catholic Parish Agbarha-Otor, Catholic Diocese of Warri and Rev. Fr. Kunav Chochos, a Missionary Priest of the Schoenstartt Fathers, were yesterday, April 29, 2023, kidnapped at the front of the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Rev. Fr. Kunav Chochos who work and live in Ibadan, had visited his brother priest and friend, Father Raphael Ogigbah at Agbarha-Otor, near Ughelli.
Both priests later went to a nearby parish to visit another priest friend, but on their way back in the night, the suspected kidnappers intercepted their vehicle and whisked them away to an unknown destination.
As at the time of filing this report, it is still sketchy if the kidnappers have established contact or demanded for any ransom.
Efforts to reach the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Warri, Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Okpowodu, prove abortive as calls put across to his two GSM lines were not answered.
Meanwhile, the Delegate Superior of the Schoenstartt Fathers, Very Rev. Fr. Okereke Kingsley Kizito, in a memo confirmed the kidnapping of the two priests.
His memo reads; “Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is with great pain and concern that we come to you with this sad notice. Our brother, Fr. Chochos Kunav, Schoenstartt Fathers, lives and works in Ibadan. However, he traveled to Warri yesterday to visit his friend, Fr. Raphael Ogigbah of the Catholic Diocese of Warri and the Parish priest of St. Francis Catholic Church Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North, Delta State.
” Unfortunately, after a short visit to the priest in a nearby parish, both Fr. Chochos Kunav and Fr. Raphael Ogigbah were kidnapped last night on their way back to the parish of Fr. Raphael Ogigbah. The incidents occurred on the road, in front of the Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor.
“We ask for intense prayers for quick and safe release”.
When contacted, the image maker of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident, stating that it was unfortunate that the priests have to go through such ordeal, but assured that his men are after the kidnappers.