TheCable

Gunmen have reportedly abducted Jude Maduka, the parish priest of Christ the King Catholic Church, Ezinachi/Ugwuago in Okigwe LGA of Imo state.

The cleric was said to have been whisked away from the parish house in the early hours of Sunday while he was preparing for mass.

Another cleric serving in the same community confirmed the incident to journalists, saying the diocesan leadership has been informed about the kidnap of the priest.

He said the kidnap of the priest has unsettled the parish, the diocese and the entire community.

“The parish priest of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Ezinachi/Ugwuago in Okigwe has just been kidnapped by unknown gunmen and taken to an unknown destination,” the cleric said.

“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 priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church parish Osu in Isiala-mbano LGA of Imo state in same Okigwe Catholic diocese.

“The situation is quite worrisome and calls for urgent attention by the government of Imo state because the safety of everyone living in the state is no longer guaranteed.”

When contacted, Henry Okoye, spokesperson of the Imo police command, said the command is yet to be briefed on the incident.

This is coming less than 24 hours after gunmen killed two police officers in an attack at Okpala junction in Ngor-Okpala LGA of Imo state.