A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, has been kidnapped by gunmen in Imo State.
Fr. Ubaechu, who serves as the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area, was abducted on Sunday evening while traveling to attend the annual retreat for priests of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese.
The incident happened along the Ejemekwuru-Izombe-Ogbakor road in Oguta LGA. His abduction was confirmed by Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah, the Chancellor and Secretary of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, in a statement released on Monday.
“I am directed to inform you that one of our priests, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, was kidnapped on the evening of Sunday, March 23. Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu is the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe. The sad incident occurred along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta LGA. He was kidnapped on his way to the Priests’ Annual Retreat,” the statement read.
The church has urged members of the Catholic faith and the general public to pray for his safe return. “We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of our priest,” the statement added.
The Owerri Catholic Archdiocese also noted that they are entrusting Fr. Ubaechu’s safety to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hoping for his speedy release from captivity.
