By Cajetan Mmuta
Rampaging armed men have kidnapped a Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, in Anambra state.
The development has heightened anxiety among residents of Awka the State capital, and Onitsha and Nnewi the commercial towns of the state.
Rev. Fr. Igweagu who is the Parish Priest in charge of St Joseph’s Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state was abducted in October. 12 while returning to his house after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in the Njikoka Council area of the state.
The abduction of the clergy was disclosed in a statement by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha.
According to the statement titled: ‘An urgent call for sincere prayer for Kidnap of Rev. Fr Joseph Igweagu, signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor of Catholics Archdiocese of Onitsha’ on Tuesday.
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Rev Fr. Prudentius Emeja Aroh, was however silent on whether the abductors have called to demand ransom.
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.
The kidnap of the Rev. Father came barely five days after a former member of the Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon Sylvester Okeke and another man were kidnapped on Friday last week along Ring Road roundabout area of Awka the state capital.
