A Catholic Priest identified as Father Alphonsus Uboh has been abducted by gunmen who invaded his church.

Father Uboh who is the Parish Priest of X Parish located at Ikot Abasi Akpan along Ekparakwa-Etinan road in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was abducted shortly after the gunmen stormed his church around 7pm on Sunday night, May 8, in a motorcycle convoy.

Eyewitnesses told Daily Trust they forced their way into the church premises and whisked the priest away on their motorcycle after shooting into the air to scare away the people.

Confirming the kidnap of the priest, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Mcdon, said they were working to tackle the activities of gunmen in the area.

He said; 

“We have received the report from that area and we are working on it.”  

It was also learnt that the gunmen had been laying siege to some communities in Oruk Anam and Mkpat Enin local government areas of the state, abducting 19 persons in six months.

Residents of the areas and other adjoining villages are reportedly robbed daily while shop owners, civil servants and local businessmen were being kidnapped for ransom.