Suspected kidnappers of the parish priest of St Michael’s Catholic Church Umuekebi in the Osuowerre autonomous community in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state, Rev Fr Kingsley Eze, popularly known as “Father Ichie” and his driver, Uchennna Newman have placed a N10M ransom.
The duo were said to have been kidnapped at Orieama junction around 8pm on Thursday.
The gunmen were also said to have shot an onlooker who was rushed to an disclosed hospital.
A parishioner who doesn’t want to be mentioned said that their abductors had reduced the N50M ransom placed on the victims’ heads to N10m.
He said that the kidnappers had contacted the driver’s wife on Sunday and Monday, respectively and made a demand of N50m.
The distrust parishioner said that the kidnappers also called on Wednesday and reduced the amount to N10M.
The source said” they called the driver’s wife on Sunday and Monday respectively and made a demand of N50m. But I learnt that they have called again and reduced the amount to N10M. Where will the poor priest and the other person get that kind of amount from? Let nothing happens to them. We pray for their safe return.”