Tension, palpable fear and anxiety gripped much of Imo State’s population as gunmen kidnapped another Catholic priest in the state on Friday evening.
Rev Fr Mathias Opara was abducted along with three other persons in his car.
Father Opara’s abduction occurred just five days later by the priest in charge of Christ the King Catholic Church at Ezinachi/Ugwuago Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka was abducted moments before he was to leave for Mass on Sunday.
In addition, the incident occurred less than 24 hours after the gruesome murders of a traditional ruler of the Orsu Obodo community in the Oguta local government area and a traditional prime minister of the Mgbele community in the same area. area.
It was learned with Within Nigeria that in today’s incident the priest was abducted from Ejemekwuru-Ogbaku Road housing Oguta and Mbatoli Local Government Areas of Imo State.
One eyewitness told our reporters that a priest known as Owu Ujo was crossed while driving back to Owerri, the state capital, following the burial of the father of one of his colleagues at the Izombe community in Oguta.
LGA The victim, as the source told the correspondent, is responsible for the order and discipline of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.
A source said, “Father’s school Mathias Opara popularly known as Owu Ujo has just been kidnapped along Ejemekwuru/Ogbaku Road.
He was kidnapped in the same car as others.
“The event happened right in front of us.
We were also returning to Owerri from the funeral rites of the father of another Catholic priest in Izumbi in Ogota Local Government Area, Imo State.”
When contacted, Father Raymond Ogu, director of public communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, confirmed the priest’s abduction and stressed that they are working hard to release him quickly and safely.
