The Catholic Diocese of Okigwe has confirmed the abduction of one of it’s priest, Rev Fr Jude Kingsley Maduka.
In a statement by the Okigwe Diocesan Secretary, Fr Princewill Iwuanyawu said the priest was abducted on Friday evening.
His words, “I am directed to inform you that one our priests, Rev Fr Jude Kingsley Mmaduka was kidnapped on the evening of Friday, May 19, 2023.
Fr Princewill said the kidnapped priest who was ordained priest on September 22, 2012.is the parish priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinachi/ Ugwuago in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. Stating that he was kidnapped from his new adoration site at Ogi village in Okigwe Local Government Area while on inspection at the new site.
“We solicit fervent prayers he may come back to us safe and sound.
We are collaborating with DSS to trail, arrest kidnappers – Imo police spokesperson
Henry Okoye, the Imo police spokesperson has said that the command has began trailing of the kidnappers.
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday afternoon, Okoye said the command’s intelligence unit in the State will collaborate with the Department of State Services (DSS) to trail and arrest the priest’s abductors.
Recall gunmen kidnapped a priest with Okigwe Catholic Diocese in Imo State, Rev Fr Jude Maduka.
A priest who confirmed his kidnap to our correspondent said that the diocesan leadership had been informed about the kidnap of the priest.
A Catholic faithful who doesn’t want to be mentioned because who was not authorized to speak to the media on the matter said that the kidnap of the priest had unsettled the parish and the diocese.
He said ” it is true. Rev Fr Jude Maduka of Okigwe diocese was kidnapped this morning. He is the parish priest of Christ the King Catholic church at Ezinachi/ Ugwuago in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
“He was kidnapped while preparing for the Sunday Mass. I don’t know why they are targeting Catholic priests. It hasn’t been long they kidnapped the Catholic priest of St Paul’s Catholic Paris Osu in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area located in the same Okigwe Catholic diocese.
