Hoodlums on Thursday night kidnapped the Catholic priest of St Michael’s Catholic Church parish in Umuekebi community in the Osuoweerre autonomous community in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev Father Kingsley Eze.
Our correspondent gathered that the priest and another man identified as Uchenna Newman, who drove the priest in a Volvo jeep were kidnapped at Orie ama junction around 8pm on Thursday.
Apart from the kidnap of the priest and the man who drove him, the criminals also robbed shop owners at the junction before leaving the scene.
A parishioner who doesn’t want to be mentioned, confirmed the abduction of the priest and the other person to our correspondent on Friday.
The source said “It is true. Our parish priest, Rev’d Fr Kingsley Eze popularly known as father Ichie has been kidnapped. He was kidnapped alongside Mr uchenna Newman, at Orie ama junction on Thursday around 8pm.
“They alighted in a Volvo jeep to buy something at the junction before they were kidnapped. The attackers also robbed businessmen at the junction. This is so unfortunate. We sincerely pray for the safe return of our parish priest and Mr Uchenna.”
“They came with two motorbikes and as they were going, they took the car belonging to the priest and the artisan. They also shot and unfortunately one person was hit by the bullet. The injured victim was rushed to a hospital very late last night.”
As at press time, the spokesperson for police in the State, Henry Okoye, had yet to speak to our correspondent over the incident.
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