Those who abducted Fr. Buba wanted money, the priest narrated, and added, “They kept bargaining for our ransom as if they were bargaining for cows. They kept bargaining over my life for the 10 days.”
The member of the Clergy of Nigeria’s Yola Diocese further recounted that his abductors got tired of keeping him in their captivity and agreed to an undisclosed ransom which was paid by his parish and some of his friends.
Fr. Buba further recounted that the parish secretary who delivered the ransom was also held captive for two days. “They accused him of speaking rudely to them on the phone during the negotiations. Both of us were released around nine o’clock on Thursday 30 May 2024,” he said.
According to Fr. Buba, the people behind the kidnappings of priests and seminarians in Nigeria are Fulani bandits. He said, “They are no longer hiding their identity. I interacted with them and all they ever wanted was to make money from the kidnappings.”
Nigeria has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs, whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.
Boko Haram insurgency has been a major challenge in the country since 2009, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation.
The latest abduction and release of Fr. Oliver follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.
Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print, Electronic and Multi-Media Production.
