AFRICA/NIGERIA - Still no contact with the kidnappers of the priest kidnapped

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - The Diocese of Ekiti has asked the faithful not to enter into negotiations with the kidnappers of Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, the pastor of St. Benedict of Ido-Elkit (in south-west Nigeria), seized on 8 June (see Fides 11/06/2015).
The kidnappers in fact used the priest’s cell to send several ransom requests to ordinary people, while neither the family nor the diocese have so far been contacted by them.
According to the person who was with Fr. Akingbade at the time of the seizure, the criminals had asked the priest 20 million Naira (100,816 Euro) if he wanted to avoid being kidnapped.
On June 11, His Exc. Mgr. Felix Ajakaye, Bishop of Ekiti, presided a Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral to ask for divine intervention to convince the kidnappers to release Fr. Akingbade and other hostages in the region.
Fr. Clement Ogunlusi, pastor of the cathedral, complained about the strong state of insecurity in the Country but has asked the faithful not to curse the kidnappers but to pray for them to convert. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/06/2015)