Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom was over the weekend reportedly booed by angry residents in Otukpo over the failure of the State government to ensure the release of a kidnapped Catholic priest.
Residents of the area were angry with the governor for refusing to react to the abduction of the Vicar General of the Diocese, Reverend Fr. John Adeyi two weeks after.
Governor Ortom, who was on a solidarity visit to the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Michael Apochi, said the State Security Council had met and directed that everything lawful should be done to ensure that Fr. Adeyi regained freedom.
However, his assurance did not go down well with some residents who booed him.
When Ortom mounted the podium to address the already disappointed congregation, the chorus of ‘ohoo ohoo! noo!’, rented the air.
It took the intervention of the protocol officials to calm the irate congregation, who insisted that the governor should keep his assurances.
When he was eventually allowed to speak, Governor Ortom stressed the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and property, disclosing that part of the measures taken was the introduction of the anti-kidnapping law, which will soon be enacted in the state.
Responding, the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Michael Apochi, thanked Governor Ortom for the visit and his prompt action to have Fr. Adeyi released by his abductors.
He said the Church will continue to pray for the safe return of the Vicar General.
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