Gunmen kidnapped a Catholic priest in Imo state, southeastern Nigeria.
The victim, Emmanuel Azubuike, was kidnapped on Tuesday night in Obollo, a community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state, PREMIUM TIMES gathered.
Mr. Azubuike is the parish priest of St. Teresa Catholic Parish in the community of Obollo.
The Catholic priest was said to have been returning to his parish after a mission when the thugs attacked him.
Princewill Iwuanyanwu, Chancellor and Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, confirmed the kidnapping in a statement on Tuesday night.
“I have to inform you that one of our priests, Reverend Emmanuel Azubuike, was kidnapped this afternoon, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, around 6 pm,” said Iwuanyanwu, also a Catholic priest.
The diocesan secretary asked the Catholic faithful to pray for the release of the kidnapped cleric.
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He did not say anything about whether the gunmen had contacted the church for a ransom.
the police speak
Imo State Police Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday night.
Okoye, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the police command in Imo was already making efforts to rescue the kidnapped priest.
“We are doing everything we can to make sure we rescue him and arrest those who kidnapped him,” he said.
Increase in kidnapping cases
Cases of kidnapping for ransom have increased across the Southeast.
Public officials, businessmen, politicians and even students have lately become easy targets.
The latest incident came days after gunmen kidnapped an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Enugu, another southeastern state.