Again, gunmen abduct Rev. Father, 3 others in Ebonyi
Barely two months after some priests were abducted in Delta State by unknown gunmen, another Catholic priest, identified as Rev. Father Joseph Azubuike, was Monday in Ebonyi, Kidnapped by armed men.
Rev. Fr. Azubuike was reportedly abducted along with three other yet-to-be identified persons in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State/
The priest was said to have been abducted by the gunmen close to his residence in the area while returning from pastoral duties.
Confirming the incident, Tuesday, the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki in the state capital, announced Rev. 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 alongside three other people. The abductors are making financial demands but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally.
“May Mother Mary of priests, intercede for us. Amen. St. Joseph-Pray for us,” the statement read.
It would be recalled that in May, this year, two priests identified as Reverend Father Chochos Kunav and Rev Father Raphael Ogigba, were reportedly abducted in Agbaro Otor Road, near Warri, while on their way to Ughelli in the state.
A statement issued by Rev Father Okereke Kizito, in Warri, said Father Chochos who works in Ibadan was on a visit to his colleague of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Rev Father Ogigba.
“They both later went to see another priest around Agbaro-Otor and on their way back they were abducted.
“We ask for intense prayers for quick and safe release. May Jesus the high priest and the good Shepherd take care of his priests and may our mother thrice admirable Queen and victress of schoenstatt intercede for them,“ the statement read.
However, days later the two priests regained freedom, though it is not known if any ransom money was paid to the abductors.
A senior priest from the diocese said the victims were freed, adding that they have been reunited with the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, in Delta State.
The abductors had demanded a N20 million ransom to free their captives.
Frs. Ogigbah and Chochos were kidnapped at the front of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
