Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest, 3 others in Ebonyi

Gunmen have abducted the Catholic Priest of the Abakaliki Diocese in Ebonyi State, Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike.

Azubuike, the Parish Priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Mgbaleze Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was kidnapped alongside three other persons in the area on Monday, July 10, 2023.

A statement issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Father Mathew Opoke, on Tuesday, said Azubuike was kidnapped around his parish.

Opoke said the kidnappers had called and demanded ransom, the amount which he did not disclose.

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He said: “We are kindly praying for the unconditional release of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike, who was abducted on July 10 close to his parish.

“Azubuike 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.”

Confirming the incident, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said an investigation was ongoing on the abduction.

“The news has been brought to us and the command is doing the needful,” Onovwakpoyeya said.

The Star