Nigeria: Parish priest abducted in Anambra

Fr Joseph Igweagu

Source: Vatican News/ACN

Fr Joseph Igweagu, a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Onitsha, was kidnapped in Anambra State, eastern Nigeria last week. The Archdiocesan Chancellor, Fr Prudentius E Aroh, announced the news in a statement on Sunday.

Fr Igweagu, Parish Priest at St Joseph's Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area, was reportedly kidnapped on the evening of Wednesday, 12 October.

He was returning to his house after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass in Umunachi in Njikoka Council area of the state when he was seized by his abductors.

The statement titled 'An urgent call for sincere prayers' 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.

The Archdiocese of Onitsha solicits for prayers for his unconditional release and assures that it is doing everything possible to secure the freedom of Fr Igweagu.

"While we 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."

There have been many kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years. According to a statement by Aid to the Church in Need, at least 18 priests had been kidnapped in Nigeria as of July, this year. Five priests were abducted in the first week of July alone.

Many of victims of kidnapping have been released after ransoms have been paid. Several others have been killed by their abductors.

The Nigerian authorities say that they are employing urgent measures to ensure better protection of the lives and properties of citizens.