LAGOS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's oil-rich Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a catholic priest, Pius Kii on Jan. 25, reported the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.
Rita Abbey, Spokesperson of the command, made this known on Monday, adding that Kii was driving out of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Sangana Street, Port Harcourt when some armed men abducted him.
Kii, a former Chairman of the Rivers State Post Primary Education Board, becomes the first catholic priest to be taken hostage in the state.
Abbey said details of the incident are still sketchy. "We have already commenced investigation and a police team is already working on it," she said.
She added that no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of Kii. Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourthas condemned the abduction of a priest, describing it as a heinous crime.
A priest, who did not want is name mentioned, said the head of the catholic community in the state would soon come out with a statement.
He called on the abductors to free Kii immediately and unharmed.
Kidnapping and blowing up pipelines may have focused attention on Nigeria's oil-rich Niger delta, but three years of militant attacks have locked the region into a spiral of crime, which is hindering much-needed development.
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