Reverend Fr John Ubaechu, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, Imo State, has been kidnapped. The incident occurred on Sunday evening along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area while the priest was on his way to the priests’ annual retreat.
The Archdiocesan Chancellor of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Rev’d Fr Patrick Mbamah, released a statement urging all faithful to pray for the quick and safe release of the priest.
A relative of the priest, Benedict Ihejirika, condemned the kidnapping, stating that the news came as a shock to the parishioners. He prayed for the priest’s safe release, saying “Almighty God, this is your fight. You can’t allow your church to be thrown into pandemonium.”
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the incident, and according to the spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the command has begun combing the bushes for the rescue of the priest and possible arrest of the suspects.
