Troops foil kidnap of Catholic bishop in Imo

Troops of the Nigerian army have foiled the attempted kidnap of Augustine Ukwuoma, a Bishop at Orlu Diocesan Catholic Secretariat in Imo state.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations, said the troops, in response to a distress call at about 2:30am on Sunday, moved to the scene and forced the assailants to take to their heels.

He said the bishop, his secretary, and assistant secretary were safe and unhurt.

Nwachukwu said the troops would continue to thwart the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminal gangs in the south-east.

He said the troops are determined to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra is safely conducted.

“Members of the public are advised to report suspicious movement of criminals as well as hide outs of the outlawed IPOB/ESN to law enforcement agencies as the group is only out to intimidate, steal and kidnap law-abiding citizens for ransom,” he said.