After spending a night in the den of his abductors, Reverend Father Izu Marcel Onyeocha, Catholic Priest and lecturer with the Imo State University (I’M SURE) has been freed by his captors.
The Reverend Father was said to have regained his freedom in the early hours of today.
The Catholic Priest was kidnapped around Ihube in Okigwe local government area of Imo state, as he was traveling from Owerri to Enugu state.
According to police report, the priest was abducted around 7.45pm while driving from Enugu to Owerri with a Nissan Exterra SUV.
The report read, “On the 11/04/21, one Bissong Isa Atugu “m”, reported that on the 10/03/21, at about 7:45 pm, while driving from Enugu to Owerri with a Nissan Exterra SUV, in company of one REV. FR. Marcel Izu Onyeocha of Mother Theresa of Golgotha Catholic Church, World Bank Owerri, the vehicle developed fault around Ihube in Okigwe LGA, and as they step down to check the vehicle, a group of people believed to be Fulani herdsmen emerged from the bush and inflicted matchet cut injuries on him, while the priest was kidnapped and taken to unknown destination.
“Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Nasiru Mohammed, has activated all the tactical teams of the Command, with a view to rescue the priest, and possibly arrest the culprits. He however calls for calm as the Command will do everything possible to ensure the rescue of the priest.”
Reverend Father Onyeocha’s abduction came few months after, auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Bishop Moses Chikwe, was kidnapped and released by his abductors.
