Some criminal elements, armed with weapons kidnapped a catholic priest in Nigeria. This abduction is another addition to a long string of kidnapping incidents in the various states of the nation.
A catholic priest, Father Joseph Igweagu, parish priest of St. Joseph Parish in Abata Nsugbe, Anambra state of Nigeria, has been abducted. Allegedly, some criminal elements abducted the priest while Father Joseph returned to his house after celebrating a funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in the Njikoka Council area of the state.
The kidnapping incident took place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
The Archdiocese of Onitsha released a statement detailing the incident on Sunday, October 16, 2022.
However, Father Prudentius Emeja Aroh, who confirmed the news of the kidnap, did not ensure whether the abductors had called to demand ransom.
The Statement released by “The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha” read as follows:
“It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the Priests, religious, lay faithful of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest Reverend Father Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish Abata Nsugbe.
Following this incident, The Archdiocese asks the faithful to pray for the (abducted) priest’s “unconditional release.”
He also assured that the church was doing everything in its power to secure priest Joseph’s release.
While concluding, the Statement further asserts that “While we pray for the conversion of his kidnappers, we appeal to our Mother Mary, who unties all knots, to intercede for him so that he may soon be released safely”,
The State of Anambra is located in south-eastern Nigeria. This area is one of the central regions affected by the phenomenon of kidnapping for extortion. However, crime has now spread to other parts and regions of Nigeria.
