By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state was on Sunday evening abducted by unidentified bandits.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbara, the Chancellor and Archdiocesan Secretary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
According to him, Rev. Fr. Ubaechu was kidnapped on the evening of March 23 along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State while on his way to the Priests’ Annual Retreat.
The Archdiocese has called on the Christian faithful and the public to pray for his safe and swift release, entrusting him to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the area.
In 2023, another priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, was abducted on the same road and endured severe torture before his eventual release.
Efforts to obtain a response from the police have so far been unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, did not respond to calls or messages regarding the matter.
