Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

Joseph Igweagu, a Catholic priest, has been abducted by gunmen in Anambra state.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha said the priest was kidnapped while returning home from a funeral vigil mass.

Igweagu is the priest of St. Joseph’s parish in Abata, Nsugbe.

Emeka Aroh, the Onitsha archdiocesan chancellor, said the priest was abducted on Wednesday, October 12.

“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’s Parish, Abata, Nsugbe. Fr. Joseph was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral vigil Mass at Umunachi on Wednesday evening, 12th October 2022,” the statement reads.

“We solicit for sincere prayers for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.

“While we pray for the conversion of his abductors, we call on our Mother Mary, the Undoer of knots, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt.”

Catholic priests are increasingly becoming endangered species in the country, given the spate of reported abductions.

In July 2022, Emmanuel Silas was abducted from the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, Kauru LGA of Kaduna state.

A month prior, gunmen kidnapped Christopher Onotu in Obangede, Okehi LGA of Kogi state.

The gunmen reportedly broke into the priest’s rectory on a Saturday night before whisking him away. The congregation only got to know about the abduction on Sunday morning when they arrived for morning mass.

Since the start of 2022, there have also been abductions of Catholic priests in Katsina and Edo states.