Fr Chinedu Nwadike, the Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Nneochi, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

Nwadike, a Catholic priest, was kidnapped on Friday on Umunnochi-Ihube road by the Enugu-Okigwe road.

The priest was abducted alongside a seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor.

The PUNCH gathered on Sunday that their abductors had established contact with their relations and placed N50m ransom on them.

Nwadike is a native of Eziama in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

A family source said, “Rev. Fr. Dr. Chinedu Nwadike, (Cssp), from Umuezeanoruo Eziama, Nkwerre LGA, Imo State and a young Seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor (Pre Postulant), were on Friday, 12th August, 2022 kidnapped on their way to Enugu State, Umunnochi area, along Enugu-Okigwe Road.

“Both are members of the Holy Ghost Congregation missionaries, living their lives of sacrifice and selflessness in service to a better society.

“He is currently the deputy registrar of SUN (Spiritan University Nneochi).”

Another source said, “Fr Chinedu Nwadike was kidnapped Friday, August 12, 2022, at Nneochi area, shortly after driving out of the gate of his university, Spiritan University Nneochi (SUN), on his way to Enugu.

“This is the second attempt to kidnap him in very recent time. In the first attempt, they shot directly at him but he managed to escape, but this time they succeeded and are said to be demanding a ransom of N50m. Curiously a military check point is located around the place.”

The priest’s younger brother, Chikezie, said that their family was praying for the self return of his younger brother and the seminarian.

The spokesperson for the police in Imo state, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the incident.