The Catholic community in Ebonyi State on Tuesday sounded the alarm over the kidnapping of one of its priests, Reverend Father Joseph Azubuike, by unidentified men believed to be local gunmen.
At St. Charles Parish in Mgbaleze Isu, Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Fr. Joseph serves as the parish priest.
The victim was kidnapped, together with three other persons according to a press release headlined “Call for Prayers” from the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki’s Office of the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke.
The statement read in part: “Kindly pray for the unconditional release of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph
Azubuike was abducted yesterday Monday, 10th of July, 2023 close to his parish on his way back from pastoral duties.
“Father. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“The abductors are making financial demands but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally.