Imported User:
A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Nwika Samuel Gbinu, who was kidnapped by hoodlums, last week at Onne, Rivers State had regained his freedom from his captors after spending one week in captivity.
LEADERSHIP gathered that Gbinu, who is the priest in-charge of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of the state, was released on Sunday night along the Eleme-Oyigbo road with no ransom paid.
The cleric, it was further learnt, was currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt, the state capital due to the injury he sustained on the head while in the custody of his abductors.
A relative of the victim, who simply identified himself as Mr. Mpeba confirmed the release of the Catholic priest in a telephone chat with LEADERSHIP.
Mpeba said; “The Catholic priest in-charge of Saint Mary Catholic Parish. Onne, Rev Fr. Nwika Samuel has regained freedom from his abductors by 10.00 pm last night. He is now on the sickbed in an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.”
The Director of Social Communications in the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Rev. Fr. Chris Anyanwu also confirmed the release of the cleric said, “no ransom was paid to secure his release because we do not understand why hoodlums should go after an innocent priest whose duty is to tend to the spiritual needs of people.”
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulam has also confirmed the release of the priest, but said he was awaiting more details.
