Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo in Anambra s State.
According to the PUNCH, spokesperson for the the State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement.
Gbuzuo, a Catholic priest from the Units Archdiocese, was reportedly abducted around 8 am on Wednesday along the Eke Nkpor-Obosi Bypass while traveling.
This incident occurred shortly after he was listed as one of the top 10 richest Catholic priests in Nigeria in a recent publication.
A statement released on Thursday by the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh, indicated that there has been no communication from the abductors regarding the priest’s whereabouts.
“His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invites all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom.
“We commit our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers,” the statement read.
Speaking on the incident, the police spokespsrson explained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, had addressed the Catholic priests on the development in the Bishop Conference at Onitsha.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Reverend Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka, which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha.
“The command is already working with some eyewitnesses of the incident in the ongoing operation
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the command would do everything to rescue unhurt the priest, and arrest the abductors.
“Further development shall be communicated, please.”
