A reverend father, Christopher Ogaga, has been kidnapped by gunmen in Delta State.

Mr Ogaga is the parish priest of Emmanuel Catholic Church in Aragba, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Muhammad Mustapha, who confirmed the abduction on Channels Television on Monday, the priest was abducted on Saturday along Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe Road while travelling to another parish in Warri.

According to him, Mr Ogaga was said to have left Aghalopke for Warri to help the parish priest of Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church, Airport Junction, Effurun for the three masses on Sunday morning when he was kidnapped.

Mr Mustapha added that the abducted clergyman is the Principal of St. Peters Clavers College, in Aghalokpe area of the state.

The officer said operatives of the command had begun a search to ensure the safe return of the priest.

On June 5, gunmen also kidnapped a monarch, Sunday Olisemokwu, the paramount ruler of Ogodor community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta.

Before then, another Catholic priest of the Sacred Heart Parish, Obomkpa in Aniocha North local government area of the same state, Andrew Anah, was kidnapped twice this year.

The clergyman was kidnapped by gunmen who ambushed him, forced him into their vehicle and drove off with him.

Another parish priest serving at the St. Michael Catholic Church, Obajana, Kogi State, Leo Michael was also recently kidnapped.