A Priest with Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, has been kidnapped in Anambra State.
Rev. Fr. Igweagu who is the Parish Priest in charge of St Joseph’s Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state was said to have been abducted on Wednesday October 12, 2022 while returning to his house after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in Njikoka Council area of the state.
A statement by Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, titled: ‘An urgent call for sincere prayer for Kidnap of Rev. Fr Joseph Igweagu, signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor of Catholics Archdiocese of Onitsha’.
Fr. Prudentius Emeja Aroh, who announced the kidnap of the priest however was silent on whether his abductors have called to demand for ransom.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha statement read, “It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the Priests, religious, lay faithful of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish Abata Nsugbe.
“Rev. Fr. Joseph was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi on Wednesday evening 12th October 2022. We solicit for sincere prayer for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.
“While pray for the conversion of his abductors, we call on our Mother Mary, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt”
The latest development has created tension in the state.