Gunmen Kidnap Pastor, Wife, Children In Delta

Some unidentified gunmen have reportedly abducted an Anglican Church Pastor, Rev. Agbadamashi Emmanuel, alongside his family.

It was gathered that the Anglican Priest, his wife and children were abducted along the East-West road by Evwreni junction on Friday while they were travelling from Ughelli to the Uwheru community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Warri on Monday morning, the Public Relations Officer of the Anglican Communion, Ughelli Diocese, Hon. Justice Iyasere, said ambushed the priest and whisked him and his family into the bush to an unknown destination.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, could not confirm the incident to journalists but promised to get details about the event, The PUNCH claimed.

It was also revealed that the kidnappers have not made any ransom demand as of the time of filling this report.

Catholic Church To Canonise 14-Year-Old Nigerian Killed For Resisting Rape

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church in Benin, Edo State, on Saturday, issued an edict that signals the beginning of a process that could lead to the beatification and canonization of the late teenager Vivian Ogu.

It would be recalled that Ogu was shot dead on November 15, 2009, by armed men for resisting their attempts to rape her after robbing her family.

The issuance of the edict was to allow petitions for or against her activities while alive that would be further subjected to a tribunal trial before a decision on whether she could become a saint would be decided by the leadership of the Catholic Church.

The Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Augustin Obiora Akubeze, at a special mass, said Pope Francis included the late Ogu among 25 people all over the world to begin the process of canonisation, noting that she lived an exemplary life and died a heroic death by opting to be killed rather than being sexually defiled.

He added, “Since her reputation for martyrdom and holiness has continued to increase since her death, and after having been formally requested to open the Cause of Beatification and Canonisation of the Servant of God, bringing it to the attention of the ecclesial community, we invite all of the faithful who can give valid testimony to come forth and contact the Archdiocesan Curia at the Chancery, No. 30, Airport Road, Benin City with their information, whether favourable or contrary to the reputation of martyrdom and holiness of the aforementioned Servant of God.”

He said members of the public should bring any “manuscripts, diaries, letters and every private writing of the Servant of God. Those who wish to keep the originals may present an authenticated copy.”