Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba, the priest serving at St. Paul Catholic Parish in Agaliga-Efabo, located within Olamaboro local government area of Kogi State, has been forcibly taken by unidentified armed assailants.
The abduction reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the community of Imane, also within Olamaboro LGA.
Sources indicate that the clergyman might have been kidnapped alongside other passengers whose identities remain unknown, while traveling on the Imane-Ogugu Road.
This distressing event has plunged the local Catholic community into uncertainty, as the kidnappers have yet to establish any communication with church officials or demand a ransom.
Another priest from the same local government area, who identified himself as Fr. Michael, shared, “We are deeply unsettled by the silence since his disappearance three days ago. No ransom calls or messages have been received. Nevertheless, we hold firm in our faith that God’s protection will bring him back safely.”
“Our prayers remain steadfast, and we trust that he will soon be restored to freedom,” he added.
According to LEADERSHIP, security forces including the Nigeria Police, the military, and the Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch (KENW) have launched extensive search operations through the forests and bushlands of the area, pursuing leads on the kidnappers’ whereabouts.
This nba-superstar-jaylen-browns-dad-arrested-attempted-murder/” title=”… Superstar Jaylen Brown's Father Arrested in Shocking Attempted Murder Case”>incident marks the second abduction within the local government in just one week.
“On Sunday evening, September 7, 2025, Barrister A. B. Shaibu was abducted by gunmen between Etieke and Okugoh in the same local government. His family reportedly paid an undisclosed ransom before his release last Thursday,” a source revealed.
When reached for comment, SP Williams Ovye Aya, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, stated, “I have not yet received official confirmation. However, I will verify the situation with officers on the ground in that area and provide an update.”
This latest kidnapping follows closely on the heels of another incident involving Pastor Friday Adehi and Gabriel Ezekiel of the Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN), who were abducted shortly after a Sunday church service two weeks ago.
In response to the escalating insecurity, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Idah Branch, has urged all tiers of government to implement effective measures to curb the rising wave of kidnappings in Kogi East senatorial district.
NBA Idah Branch Chairman, Barrister James Michael, expressed deep concern over the surge in abductions, including the recent kidnapping of their member, Barrister Shaibu.
“The Nigerian Bar Association, Idah Branch, calls for urgent and decisive action to tackle the growing insecurity in Kogi East,” Michael stated.
“The recent kidnappings, such as that of our colleague A.B. Shaibu in Okugo, Olamaboro LGA, and the frequent abductions reported along the Okura-Ojapata, Ochadamu-Itobe-Ajaokuta-Lokoja, and Ikeje-Aloma roads, highlight the critical need for enhanced security protocols.”
“We expect the government to heed the appeals of concerned citizens and take concrete steps to halt the persistent kidnappings plaguing Kogi State,” he concluded.
