The Catholic Church has reiterated its position to not pay ransom to secure the release of any of its kidnapped priest and official.
Director of Social Communication Commission Rev. Anthony Omodunbi, on behalf of Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Osun State, Rev. John Oyebola, lamented that the kidnap of priests reflected the degenerated state of the country’s system.
Omodunbi was reacting to the kidnap of two priests and two others at the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gidan Maikambo, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He said: “The church authority has not changed its position that it won’t pay ransom to free its priests or any of its personnel.
“When clerics are kidnapped, it shows how degenerated we have become as a country. When you hear that a priest has been kidnapped, you should be sure that 20 other Nigerians have been kidnapped without us knowing.
“The church will continue to sensitise the congregation that everybody should be security conscious and avoid anything that could attract kidnappers to them. We shall continue to speak to the state that they are failing in their responsibilities of security and welfare. Clerics should continue to ensure security for themselves as long as it is lawful.”