Just one week after his kidnapping, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha in Anambra State, has requested prayers for his unconditional release.
On October 12, 2022, while returning home from celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in the state's Njikoka Local Government Area, Igweagu, the priest in charge of St. Joseph's Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area, was reportedly abducted.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha's Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Emeja Aroh, issued a statement on behalf of the church in which he prayed for the conversion of his kidnappers.
The statement which was silent on whether any contact had been established with the abductors for ransom, however, said the church was not relenting in her efforts towards his soon release.
The statement reads: “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 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, the undoer of knots, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt.”