Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest in Imo State.
The victim, John Ubaechu, was abducted on Sunday evening along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area.
Ubaechu is the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, a community in Oguta Local Government Area.
Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Patrick Mbarah, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
“He (Ubaechu) was kidnapped on his way to the priests’ annual retreat,” Mr Mbarah, also a Catholic priest, said in the statement.
The chancellor asked Catholic faithful and all Nigerians to pray for the safe release of the abducted priest.
“We commend our brother, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors,” he said.
The latest incident occurred hours after the police in Anambra State announced the rescue of another Catholic priest who was abducted.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the latest abduction of a Catholic priest in a statement yesterday.
Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the police command had launched an investigation into the abduction.
“An intelligence-driven operation is also underway to facilitate the possible rescue of the Catholic priest,” he said.
The spokesperson enjoined residents to assist the police in the investigation by providing relevant information about the attackers.
