A Catholic Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike, has been kidnapped in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu, located in the aforementioned local government area.
The incident took place on Monday while he was returning from his pastoral duties, with three others also falling victim to the kidnappers.
Sources reveal that the abductors have issued financial demands as a condition for their release.
In response, the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki has urgently called upon the faithful to offer prayers for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted Priest and the three other victims.
The diocese issued a statement titled “Call For Prayers,” signed by Rev. Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, the Chancellor of the Diocese, on Tuesday. The church verified that the Priest was abducted in close proximity to his parish.
The statement reads, “Kindly pray for the unconditional release of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike who was abducted yesterday 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. He was abducted alongside three other people. 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.
“St. Joseph-Pray for us.”
This newspaper learnt that efforts to contact the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, as of press time, were unsuccessful.
