The Otukpo Catholic Diocese priest, Rev. Fr David Echioda who was kidnapped last Sunday has regained his freedom.

Director of Communications, Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr John Okopopu who spoke with Journalists on the telephone said that the kidnappers apologized to the priest, saying he (the priest) was not their target.

Reverend Father David Echioda was kidnapped by gunmen at Alan-Akpa while returning from missionary work.

The Otukpo Catholic Diocese communicator said that the victim ( Rev Fr Echioda) was released yesterday at 6.30 pm

Rev fr Okopopu said the abductors told him they mistook him for a top politician who they had information he was going to ply the route around 2.00 pm on Sunday but they waited until around 4.00 pm and did not see their target.

According to the director of communication, the priest who was returning to Otukpo only ran into the gunmen numbering six and armed with sophisticated weapons.

Rev fr Okopopu said, “Yes, the priest was released yesterday after the gunmen tortured him.

“The abductors said that he was not there target and that they had information that a top person was going to pass the road around 2pm

“Unfortunately, when the gunmen could not see their target they began to rob and the priest was the first to run into them and they dispossessed him of his belongings including the church money.

“They forced him into his vehicle, three men in the front, three at the back while one was searching the priest, all of them carried AK47 and were speaking Hausa, although, the priest understand Hausa and communicated with them in Hausa, they tortured and later released him with an apology that he was not there target.

“So they gave him N4,000.00 to take care of himself”, the director communication said.