Gunmen Frustrated, Forced to Release Imo Catholic Priest from Captivity
- There was joy among the Claretian Missionaries East Nigeria Province on Monday, April 12
- This is as one of the province's priests, Izu Marcel Onyeocha, was set free by his abductors
- The kidnappers felt having Onyeocha in captivity was a waste of effort since nobody came forth to pay ransom for him
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The abducted Imo state Catholic priest, Reverend Professor Izu Marcel Onyeocha, has regained freedom after spending days in captivity with gunmen.
Onyeocha's release which happened on Monday, April 12, was confirmed by the Owerri provincial secretary of the Claretian Missionaries, Matthew Iwuagwu, and the spokesman of the police command in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu.
Source: Facebook
Speaking with The Nation on the good news, Ikeokwu said the kidnappers had no other choice than to release the cleric upon realising that no one was coming to pay ransom for him.
“With grateful hearts, we wish to thank the Almighty God for the release of Fr. Izu Marcel Onyeocha from the den of the kidnappers.
“The Provincial Superior has spoken with him. He is in stable condition. We wish to thank the Priests at St Mary Cathedral Okigwe for their care and hospitality.
“We also thank the security operatives for their assistance. We appreciate everyone who stormed heaven with prayers. God is ever faithful and He answered us.”
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen had abducted a Catholic priest identified as Harrison Prhinyovaw in Delta state.
The priest was said to have been abducted at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, at a bad spot in Abraka, Ethiope East local government area of the state.
He was in charge of St. John’s Catholic Church, Obinomba in the Ukwuani local government area of Delta.
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A resident quoted in the report said:
“The kidnappers shot sporadically in the air to scare away passers-by at the scene of the operation. They abandoned the cleric’s car at the scene of the incident.”
Source: Legit.ng
