Kidnapped Catholic priest regains freedom

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI-The Parish Priest of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Parish, Ozara, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Nnorom, who was kidnapped June 13, 2011, has regained his freedom, after spending about three days in his captors’ den.

Vanguard gathered that the outspoken Catholic priest’s ordeal started at about 3pm on the fateful day, at Eziama Obaire, while returning from his pastoral duty at Isu Njaba.

Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, Nnorom said he was dropped at Dikenafai, Ideato South Local Government Area of the state, adding that his first port of call, thereafter, was Saint Mary’s Parish, Dikenafai.

He said: “Some men carrying guns and operating on motorcycles stopped me and ordered the three people I was carrying to come out of the vehicle and lie down. They blindfolded me and drove off.”

He said the hoodlums later removed his clothes, and left him almost naked, adding that they asked the Catholic Bishop of Orlu to pay N15 million ransom, which was rebuffed.

It was also gathered that the two armed hoodlums who were ordered to keep vigil over the priest became repentant and allowed him to go.