- Armed men have ambushed an Anglican Bishop just few minutes after saying a mass on Sunday afternoon in Benin City, Edo state, Anglican officials have announced. Reverend Peter Imasuen was reportedly kidnapped as he arrived home from church.
Reverend’s kidnapping comes amid rising tension between Muslims and Christians in central Nigeria following the fierce attacks between the two religious groups a week ago.
"We are trying to establish what exactly happened but we understand the kidnappers are asking for 15 million naira ($100,000 dollars)," the officials said.
Official said he was reportedly trailed by the kidnappers from the St Matthew Cathedral on Sakponba Road to his residence. Source said the suspected kidnappers forced their way into the premises, wielding guns after which they locked up the gateman in the security outpost.
According to them, the Bishop was dragged out of his vehicle and driven to an unknown destination.
Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria, but Mr Imasuen's abduction comes just a week after clashes between Muslims and Christians left nearly 500 people dead in and around the central city of Jos.
The Nigerian Anglican church accounts for 17 million of the world's 77 million Anglicans.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español