A Catholic priest and two other individuals have been abducted by unidentified gunmen in Rivers State. The priest, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice, serves as the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Isokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 12, while the priest was returning from a hospital visitation along the Elele-Isiokpo Road. The identities of the two other victims remain unknown as of the time of this report.
In a statement released by the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt and signed by the Chancellor, Reverend Father Bernadine Anaele, the church confirmed the abduction and called for prayers for the safe and unconditional release of the priest and his companions. The Diocese also assured that the matter has been reported to security agencies.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is already underway. “Yes, the command is aware of the incident, and we are making frantic efforts to ensure the priest and the two others are released unharmed,” she said.
She further revealed that tactical units have been alerted to track down the kidnappers and bring them to justice. “The command has activated all necessary measures to ensure the suspects are apprehended and made to face the law,” she added.
