Gunmen Kidnap Ebonyi Catholic Priest, Three Others

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Some criminals and gunmen have kidnapped a Catholic Priest of Abakaliki Diocese, Ebonyi State, Rev. Father Joseph Azubuike in the state.

The Catholic Priest was kidnapped on Monday, alongside three other persons.

In a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Father Mathew Opoke, the victim was kidnapped on his way to St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu in onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on his way back from duties.

In the statement titled, “Call for Prayers,” the Diocesan Chancellor disclosed that the abductors were making financial demands.

The statement read in part: “Kindly pray for the unconditional release of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike who was abducted yesterday being Monday, 10th of July, 2023, close to his parish on his way back from pastoral duties.

“Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

“The abductors are making financial demands but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally. May Mary, Mother of priests, intercede for us. Amen.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Police Command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said her office was yet to be furnished about the development.

“Am still making contact with our Divisional Police in the area of the incident. Let’s me find out if the matter has been reported,” the Police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, gunmen suspected to be enforcers of sit-at-home order wrecked havoc in the state, thereby heightening tensions and fear amongst residents.

But the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared that there was nothing like sit- at- home in the state.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Dr. Monday Uzor, the governor who spoke to newsmen shortly after participating in a meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo with Governors, House of Assembly Speakers National Assembly Members and other Leaders from the South East zone at Imo State Governor’s Lodge Asokoro, Abuja, explained that what played out a week ago in the state was a case of miscreants who attempted to put fear in residents and disrupt businesses.

“I am surprised to hear sit -at home from you because there is nothing like sit- at home in Ebonyi. We never for one day observed sit -at – home and I know you are aware.

“Some people only wanted to know if they can start putting tension on people and we said no, they don’t have such powers, they can’t do that and it didn’t happen,” Nwifuru said.