Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, a priest from the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, has been taken hostage by unidentified gunmen in Anambra.
On Wednesday, October 12, Igweagu, the parish priest of St. Joseph Parish in Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, was abducted while returning home from a vigil Mass at Umunnachi in the Njikoka region.
The event was reported in a statement released on Tuesday in Awka by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh, on behalf of the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese.
The statement titled: “An urgent call for sincere prayer for Kidnap of Rev. Fr Joseph Igweagu”, did not give more details as to whether his abductors had called to demand ransom or not.
“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. Igweagu was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi on Wednesday evening, Oct.12.
“We solicit 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, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt.”
When contacted, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) police command in Anambra, said the command was not aware of the incident.
“There is no such report before me please. I urge the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha to come foward with necessary information that will help us embark on investigations for possible rescue of the victim,” Ikenga said.