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World News

Nigeria: Kidnappers demand ransom for Catholic priest

Nigeria

Population: 182 million

Christian population: 80 million

Nigeria is symbolically divided by the Christian-majority south and Muslim-majority north

Christians face persecution from extremist groups including Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen

Open Doors has said that Nigeria is the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian; the country had the highest number of reported deaths related to Christian persecution in 2015

Fr Jude Onyebadi, was allegedly abducted by gunmen thought to be Fulani Herdsmen at his pineapple farm on Friday.

The kidnappers contacted the St Paul and St Peter Catholic Church where he serves as a parish priest to make the demand.

Eyewitnesses to the abduction told local media that the gun-wielding group stormed the farm and dragged Fr Onyebadi away.

Police believe the group are Fulani herdsmen because of how the witnesses described their dress.

Rev Fr Charles Uganwa, the Director of Communications of the Diocese appealed for the release of his colleague.

He added that the church would not be able to pay the ransom demand because giving in to terrorist demands puts more clergy in danger.

The Spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, promised to find the priest.

He told reporters: "We are combing the bushes and very soon, he will be freed. I can assure you that we are monitoring the kidnappers who keep shifting from one location to the other, but no matter how they may try to hide, we will get them."

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