Kidnapped Catholic Priest Released

The Awka Diocesan  Catholic Priest, Rev Father Emmanuel Dim, kidnapped Tuesday by Fulani Herdsmen in Enugu state has been set free by his kidnappers.

A source close to Awka Catholic Diocesan secretariat  said the priest was released yesterday after frantic effort by the Bishop of Nsuka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev (Prof) Godfrey Onah.

The embattled Bishop was said to have reached the Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on cellphone asking him to do something urgently  not only to save the life of the priest hut to remedy the alreay battered image of the state over the activities of Herdsmen.

Consequently, Governor Ugwuanyi was said to have directed the security agencies in the state, who were said to have moved swiftly to rescue the priest

But another source said that the Governor also made overtures to leaders Fulanis in the state, who might have prevailed on their herdsmen to release the priest.

The priest said to have been handed over to Bishop Onah is yet to  return  to his diocese as he is still recuperating

But his colleague, Jude Ezeokana, was said to have  returned  to the diocese, where he was put under observation, while Rev. Fr Jude Chukwuneke, shot at the head is still receiving medical attention in Enugu. It was  was earlier reported that the kidnappers demanded N2.5milion but it was not clear if the ransom was paid.

The three priests were attacked  by Fulani  Herdsmen Tuesday evening at Nkologwu/Nimbo in Uzo- Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state.

It was at Nimbo that Fulani Herdsmen unleashed  midnight terror, killing scores of people, several others njured and burnt many houses including churches.