Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Imo

Izu Marcell, a catholic priest, has been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen in Okigwe LGA of Imo state. 

The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday morning along Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.

Marcella, who is said to be a lecturer at Imo state university, was in transit from Enugu to Owerri when the attack happened.

The gunmen reportedly shot sporadically into the air which brought his vehicle to a halt before he was whisked away.

Orlando Ikeokwu, police public relations officer (PPRO) in Imo, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the abductors inflicted machete cuts on one Bissiong Atugu, who was onboard the same vehicle with the priest before the cleric was whisked away.

“On 11/04/21, one Bissong Isa Atugu “m”, reported that on the 10/04/21, at about 7:45pm, while driving from Enugu to Owerri with a Nissan Exterra SUV, in company of one Rev. Fr. Marcel Izu Onyeocha of Mother Theresa of Golgotha Catholic Church, World Bank Owerri, the vehicle developed fault around Ihube in Okigwe LGA, and as they stepped down to check the vehicle, a group of people believed to be Fulani herdsmen emerged from the bush and inflicted machete cut injuries on him, while the priest was kidnapped and taken to unknown destination,” he said.

Orlando added that the police are currently on the trail of the attackers to rescue the victim.

Imo has come under attacks by gunmen in the past few days.

Last Monday, gunmen attacked a correctional centre and the police command headquarters in Owerri, the state capital.

Over 1,500 prisoners were reportedly freed in the attacks.

The police accused members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being behind the attacks.