Spate of kidnappings at Nigerian Catholic university

July 01, 2010

Three female students and a priest at Veritas University in Abuja have been kidnapped in the past five weeks. The students were kidnapped from their dormitory on May 28 and released ten days later. Father Justin Ukpong, the university’s vice chancellor, and his driver were rescued by police on June 27, three days after they were taken from their car.

“We the Catholic bishops of Nigeria are really disturbed by this latest development which is a threat to the contribution of the Church to education development in the country,” said Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, who has refused to pay ransom to kidnappers. “[We] call on the federal, state governments and security agents to do more in their power to guarantee security of lives and property of the law-abiding citizens of our great nation.”

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop Onaiyekan following release of Fr. Ukpong: we will not pay a ransom (Fides)
• Police Rescue Kidnapped Priest (Lagos This Day)