Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Reverend Father David Echioda who was kidnapped by gunmen at Alan-Akpa in Otukpo local government area last Sunday has been released.
According to the Director of Communication in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Reverend Father John Okopopu, Rev. Fr. Echioda was released on Wednesday (today) at 6.30 am.
Okopopu also said the abductors told him they mistook him for a top politician who did not pass through Utonkon-Otukpo road at 2 pm and that as the six armed men were about to leave the road, the Reverend Father showed up, so, they had to rob him along with other travellers and abducted him.
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Okopopu stated further that the abductors collected N26,000 from Echioda and apologised to him for abducting him thus : “We are sorry, you were not our target”.
The director of communication said the abductors gave back N4,000 to the victim and released him. He said he did not know if any ransom was paid to the abductors but added that he would find out what happened from his relations.
Okopopu said Echioda was released unhurt but could not say if other discussions took place between him and the six abductors who were armed with AK47 rifles and shared themselves into three at the back of the vehicle and three at the front interacted with him in Hausa language.
Rev. Fr. Echioda was working at the Minor Seminary, Ochobo in Ohimini local government area before the incident took place last Sunday.
Four years ago, Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, a Vicar General in the Diocese, was abducted and killed after ransom had been paid.
