Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Anambra

Unidentified gunmen has abducted apriest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, in Anambra state.

Blueprint gathered that the parish priest in charge of St Joseph’s Parish, Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East local government area has been missing since October 12, 2022.

A statement by the Catholic Archdiocese, signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor of Catholics Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Emeja Aroh, Tuesday, said the Archdiocese is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.

The statement read, “It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the priests, religious, lay faithful of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish, Abata Nsugbe.

“Rev. Fr. Joseph was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral vigil mass at Umunnachi on Wednesday evening, October 12, 2022. We solicit sincere prayer for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.

“While we pray for the conversion of his abductors, we call on our Mother Mary, the undoer of knots, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt.”