Decomposed Body of Kidnapped Catholic Priest Found in Benue

The corpse of a Catholic priest who was kidnapped in central Nigeria in April was recently found decomposing in the bushes in Otukpo, Benue state.Rev. John Adeyi, the vicar-general of the Otukpo Diocese, was abducted on April 24, by unidentified gunmen while he was on his way to Ogbokolo for ministerial duties.The Catholic priest’s body was recently found near a local government building in Otukpo, where it was believed to have been dumped by his kidnappers.A church leader said two hours after Rev. Adeyi’s body was found: “The body was in decaying state, and policemen and Christian villagers are at the scene where the corpse was found.“They are currently making effort to move the corpse from the back of the Education Authority office in the town to a morgue,” he added.In the meantime, the news has shaken residents of the Otukpo community who had waited and hoped for two months for the priest’s safe return. The sight of his decomposing body prompted residents to wail and weep.According to a parishioner who requested anonymity, Adeyi was kidnapped at gunpoint while traveling from Otukpo to Ogbokolo for pastoral duties. His abductors contacted church officials and demanded 25 million naira (US$121,224) as ransom.Some N2 million (US$9,700) had been paid, according to one unconfirmed press report.“The kidnappers had contacted the bishop of Otukpo Diocese to demand the ransom. They used the mobile phone of the Very Rev. Adeyi to contact our bishop,” he said.Adeyi also served St. Bernard’s Catholic Parish, Okpoga in Okpokwu.The bishop of Otukpo Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Michael Apochi, could not be reached for comment as he was said to be involved in the evacuation of the corpse.Benue state police commissioner Paul Yadaki confirmed the death of Rev. Adeyi’s death. However, he declined to release additional information.In a sermon at an event in Abuja in October 2011, Adeyi urged Catholics to always pray for their priests because of the many challenges they face.Preaching at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral, Garki, Abuja, on Oct. 28, 2011, Adeyi said that in spite of the many challenges, priests will not give up but are determined to run the race of faith to the end.

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