By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—THE Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese in Edo State, Bishop Gabriel Dunia, has lamented the incessant kidnap of Nigerians, calling for the release of human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

The Bishop, who spoke to newsmen at the Bishop’s court Auchi, said the security situation in the country was giving the church cause to worry, regretting that rather than embarking on activities that would help the growth of the nation, some youths decided to unleash mayhem on the people.

While recalling how he received the news of Ozekhome’s kidnap, Bishop Dunia disclosed that the church had since embarked on serious prayers to secure his release.

He said: “The news came to me on Saturday, at 11:30pm, from one of the Knights of St. Mulumba, a medical doctor.

“I called some priests and the Revered Father in Ozekhome’s town, Iyokwe in Agenebode. I told them to immediately mobilise the faithful to the church to pray and keep adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

“They will follow it up subsequently with rosary procession with candle light in the night or without candle light in the day.

“His kidnappers should quickly repent and release him for us because whatever might have prompted them will do them no good.”