Some unknown gunmen kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike, in Ebonyi State. Reports made available to newsmen on Tuesday revealed that the cleric was abducted yesterday in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He was abductedby police in the area while returning from pastoral duties.
The assailants, Naija News learned, also abducted three other persons whose identities could not immediately be ascertained. The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki in the state confirmed Azubuike’s abduction in a statement by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Uzoma Opoke, titled “Call for Prayers.”
“Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbalaeze Isu, in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. “He was abducted along with three others. The abductors are making financial demands, but with your prayers, we will have them back unconditionally. “May Mother Mary of the priests intercede for us. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us,” the statement read.
Catholic priests and bishops praying on behalf of the kidnapped colleagues
However, the state police command has not issued any official statement on the abduction as of reporting time
Kidnapping and gunman banditry have been on the rise in Nigeria for the past ten years. It took a serious toll on the Nigerian populace when Buko Haram Kidnapped some girls in a school in Northern Nigeria, a hotspot of kidnappings and terrorism.
The Nigerian government tried futilely to retrieve some of these innocent girls from the kidnappers of Boko Haram, but to no avail. Even international communities and some celebrities and stars across the world initiated the "Bring Back the Girls campaign" to help free the girls, but it all proved futile.
The new administration of President Tinobu has vowed graciously to do away with bandits and kidnappers, but it seems he hasn't started to fulfill his promises. Until the government takes some serious measures to curb the kidnappings and terror, there will not be peace in Nigeria.
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