Again, gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Imo

Gunmen have abducted another Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, in Imo State.

It was gathered that Opara was abducted along Ejemekwuru and Ogbaku road between Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State on Friday, May 26.

An eyewitness disclosed that the Catholic priest was kidnapped while returning from a burial ceremony of his colleague’s father at Izombe community in Oguta Local Government Area.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the priest was kidnapped alongside some people in the same vehicle while driving back to Owerri, the Imo State capital.

“The incident happened right before us. We were also coming back to Owerri from the funeral ceremony when the incident occurred,” the eyewitness said.

The Director of Public Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Raymond Ogu, who confirmed the incident, said the priest was ambushed and later kidnapped.

Ogu said: “It was on his way back from Izombe. These guys came out from the bush and ambushed them.

“They were about five people in the vehicle, including the priest, but one small boy among them in the vehicle escaped during the ambush.

“The hoodlums took the priest and the other three passengers away but at some point, they released the other three to take his car but they went away with priest into the bush.”

Speaking, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, said he could not confirm the report.

“I am yet to receive an official report in line with that,” Okoye said.

Opara’s abduction came barely a week after gunmen kidnapped the priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinachi/Ugwuago of the Diocese of Okigwe in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka.

It would be recalled that Maduka was kidnapped while preparing for the Eucharistic Mass celebration at his adoration ground.

A Catholic Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Osu in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Michael Asumogha, was equally kidnapped in April and later released.

The Star

Segun Ojo